Dr Jaffer calls on Mountaineering trainees to promote Suru Valley as Adventure Destination

KARGIL: Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), LAHDC Kargil, Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, called on 36 mountaineering trainees from across the country to promote Kargil’s adventure tourism potential and share their experiences of the district, while attending the graduation ceremony of a Basic Mountaineering Course at Panikhar on Monday.

The course, organised by the Indian Institute of Skiing & Mountaineering (IISM), Gulmarg, at the Adventure Centre, Panikhar, brought together trainees from different parts of India for training in mountaineering, high-altitude trekking and related outdoor activities.

Addressing the gathering, Akhoon congratulated the trainees on completing the course and said the skills and experience acquired during their training could prove valuable in their future pursuits.

He highlighted the potential of Kargil’s diverse terrain and high-altitude landscapes for adventure tourism, specifically referring to the Suru Valley and other trekking routes and adventure destinations across the district.

The CEC urged the trainees to act as ambassadors of Kargil tourism by sharing their experiences with people in their respective states and elsewhere in the country. He said greater exposure to the district’s landscapes, trekking routes and cultural heritage could encourage more visitors to explore Kargil.

Akhoon also underlined the role of sports and adventure activities in promoting physical fitness, discipline, confidence and resilience, particularly among young people.

Welcoming the participation of trainees from different parts of the country, he said their presence reflected the diversity of India and the growing interest in Kargil as a destination for outdoor and adventure activities.

The CEC invited the trainees and instructors to attend the Suru Valley Festival scheduled for August 26 and 27, encouraging them to experience the region’s cultural heritage, traditions and natural landscapes alongside its adventure and trekking destinations.

Akhoon appreciated Col Thapa and his team, the instructors and others associated with the programme for conducting the training and promoting adventure activities in the region. The ceremony concluded with the distribution of certificates and mementos among trainees who successfully completed the course.