The trekkers who were part of Sunday’s expedition in Mansar circuit are aghast over mismanagement by tourism department, which apparently failed to conduct much publicized event.
Speaking to Greater Kashmir participants including professors, freelance bloggers and college students who were part of trekking from Surinsar and Baarighar in Mansar-Surisar circuit alleged the trekking expedition turned into a nightmare for them in absence of any facility from organizers.
“We were invited by Surinsar Mansar Development Authority along with students. The organizers promised that students and participants will be provided with light refreshment in beginning and lunch after culminations of expedition along with forest guards and local guides so that good documentaries and work comes out from the trekking. But all the arrangements were missing expect a photo session where director tourism Jammu along with dozens of other officers were called in to flag off the event,” said a college teacher who wished not to be named.
The participants alleged that in absence of guides and proper route map, the trekker’s suffered a lot.
“The problems started from the beginning as the drivers, who were asked to drop participants at landing point were not guided properly, resulting in wastage of two hours in locating Barighar starting point,” Ravinder Kumar , a media student said.
“It was not my first trek. I am passionate about exploring new destinations and was very happy to know about initiatives of tourism department for promotion of Jammu, but this expedition seemed a punishment for us, where we thrown into the jungle without any briefing and route map,” said Bikas Bhagat, a terser and professional photographer.
“Initially, we enjoyed the first 2 kilometers but once we found ourselves in the middle of jungle, all enthusiasm cooled down and only priority was to be back on track ,” he added.
Another participant said that every good trekking requires a guide, but tourism department took safety of students for granted. “I participated in the trekking from Baarighar along with five female students. From a passerby, we came to know that we were in middle of wide life century, where wild beasts and other dangerous animals could attack anytime. In absence of any guide and guard, my students got scared and I had hard time to pass though mental trauma, “said Amit Kumar, a teacher of a private college.
Another participant called the entire exercise as publicity stunt and photo opportunity only.
“The event was a failure – poorly organized and at the risk of participants,” Dr Shaveta Kohli, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Central University Jammu. She added, “I was surprised to see that department tried to cash publicity out of this event.”
“The Tourism Department should have the courage to admit reality. If Mansar Surinsar Development Authority has organised the event, then the department has the responsibility of safety of trekkers. If they can’t manage such things well, then they don’t have any right to organize events like this,” she added.
“I hope the officials will take this on a positive note and take care while organizing such activities in future,” she said.