Second Rock Climbing Course begins in Kargil
KARGIL: Executive Councillor for Tourism, LAHDC Kargil, Altaf Hussain, on Thursday called for developing adventure tourism as a source of employment for local youth, citing Kargil’s mountainous terrain and natural landscape, as he inaugurated the second batch of a Basic Rock Climbing Course at the Tourism Facilitation Centre (TFC), Kargil.
Organised by the Department of Tourism, Ladakh, in collaboration with the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), the course has enrolled 30 participants and aims to equip young people with practical skills for careers in rock climbing, mountaineering, adventure guiding and allied tourism activities.
Addressing the participants, Hussain urged them to make the most of the training and pursue the sport with discipline and dedication. He said professional instruction, suitable equipment and improved infrastructure were essential to developing adventure tourism and creating livelihood opportunities in the district.
He also said he had held discussions with the concerned Minister for Tourism and Sports on promoting adventure tourism and strengthening facilities to support such activities in the region.
Hussain said expanding adventure tourism could diversify Ladakh’s tourism sector, attract more visitors and strengthen the local economy. He encouraged participants to develop professional skills that could help establish Kargil as an adventure tourism destination.
Assistant Director of Tourism Muhammad Ali Tak said the Kargil batch began on October 15 after the first batch concluded in Leh on October 14. He highlighted Ladakh’s potential for rock climbing and mountaineering and encouraged participants to explore these activities as career options.
Joint Director Planning and Chief Planning Officer Kargil, Kacho Mohammad Hussain, assured that the district administration would support initiatives to develop adventure tourism and expand training opportunities for local youth.
The IMF coaching team, comprising Senior National Coach Bibhas Roy, Youth National Coach Chitrasen Singh, Chief Instructor Shivkumar C. and instructors Madhu B.R. and Santosh N., stressed the importance of technical skills, safety and professional guidance. They said the current programme was a basic-level course, with advanced courses planned for the future.
Dr Murtaza Ali, Director of Physical Education at the University of Ladakh, noted that rock climbing was part of the Bachelor of Physical Education syllabus and encouraged participants to strengthen their practical skills.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Muhammad Ali Tak.
