Srinagar
On Sunday, December 3, 2017, department of tourism organized Mountain biking event from Zabarwan Park.
The event in which over 40 riders participated was flagged by secretary Tourism Sarmad Hafeez.
As part of its Valley Weekend tourism promotional campaign, the department of tourism organized Sky Running, Mountain Biking and Hiking events.
A spokesman said the sky running started at 7 am in which over 20 athletes from Srinagar participated. The athletes climbed the Shankaracharya hill from UN office at Sonwar who ran over 10 km over the recently developed trails by the forest department. The athletes finished run at Nehru Park.
At 9 am, Secretary Tourism Sarmad Hafeez flagged off the Mountain Biking event from Zabarwan Park in which over 40 riders from different districts participated.
Director Tourism Kashmir Mahmood A Shah, Deputy Director Tourism Riyaz Beigh were also present on the occasion.
The riders paddled 16 kilometers through these newly developed trails.
The MTB event was organized in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Mountain Biking Association.
As December 3 is also celebrated as International Day of People with Disabilities, the department also organized hiking event for disabled persons, especially children.
The children hiked up to 2.5km uphill who were assisted by members from JKMBA.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Tourism said Valley Weekend not only promotes tourism but also engages youth in a lot of activities.
He said the department wants to keep activities happening in the State so that tourists not only enjoy beauty but have local experience also.
Hafeez said Mountain Biking is a good sporting activity which needs to be promoted among locals for healthy living and also helping in reducing the pollution levels.
Director Tourism Kashmir said Valley Weekend is generating a lot of response from the locals and a positive image is also being sent across the country that Kashmir is a safe place to visit where locals are actively involved in many activities.
On Sunday, the department had inaugurated 2-day food festival at Chesmashahi where local delicacies were served to locals and also to the tourists. Besides, 2-day photography exhibition was also held at Nigeen Club where local amateur photographers had displayed beautifully captured pictures of the landscape, art, and culture, people, handicrafts, heritage which also generated a lot of response from the public.
The department of started Valley Weekend Tourism promotional programmes to entertain tourists with the host of activities including theatre and music performances by local artists, adventure sports events, food festivals.
