Srinagar Lacks Public Swimming Pools

By Mohamad Yousuf

This is most unfortunate that we do not have any public swimming pool in Srinagar. The need to have one in the town is badly felt by We the Srinagarites for long but no one comes to our help.

Surprisingly almost in every tehsil of Punjab and other neighboring states they have a swimming pool of international standard but alas! We alone lack this facility. When we talk of civic hygiene and health we say it is the responsibility of Srinagar Municipal Corporation. If so, why do they lag behind in creating infrastructure that is essential for health care of citizens? In other states one could find scores of Swimming pools owned by the local Municipal Corporations which not only help to inculcate a spirit of competition among youth or maintain health but it also generates revenue for them. It is in fact social responsibility of SMC to arrange construction of at least one Swimming Pool in the city. The duty of SMC Health Officer should not only to take care of civic hygiene but should create all such avenues which are useful for maintaining civic health like pools, gyms and fitness parks etc.

Swimming is not only one of the oldest sports in the world but most early civilizations regarded it as a military skill. In ancient days many civilizations included it in the military training of young soldiers. It is an important source for lifesaving as well. It is perhaps why Islam considered learning swimming vital. Not only military aspect but the swimming is the basis for all sports and conditioning ones health. It develops strength, endurance, flexibility, courage, coordination, confidence, patience and of course it tones us up physically. Swimming is the safest, least painful journey to fitness and hence another ticket to mental and emotional stability.

Some time ago people in Srinagar were learning swimming in open lakes, rivers and ponds but due to increasing pollution in these water bodies’ people do not allow their children to learn swimming in these vulnerable water bodies. It is sure that a drop of polluted water, swallowed by a child, would cost heavy toll to his parent on his treatment. We appeal the SMC to take up the matter with Union Ministry of Human Resource Development for funding the project on missionary basis. The SDA should also extend help to SMC in its endeavor. It is regrettable that nearly 90% of children of this civilized nation do not know swimming.

The article was published in Daily Greater Kashmir on 24th June 2010

More About Skiing In City

By Mr. Mehraj Din

This refers to the feedback by Idrees Ahmad titled “Not Possible” (GK June 6) in response to the write-up titled “Skiing Possible in Srinagar” of Mohammad Yusuf (June GK June 5). It is highly appreciating that at least someone has expressed concern about safety of wildlife around Dachigam National Park. No doubt if skiing is started in the heels of Zabarvan range, there could be concerns about safety of wildlife around Dachigam National Park. But this has always been there.

When we talk of eco-tourism there is possibility that we may occasionally face the wildlife but not necessarily there could always be man-wild animal conflict.

The intensive exploration made by Mohammad Yusuf in We the Srinagarites column some time back about skiing in Zabarvan range is of immense use from the tourism point of view.

He has mentioned that the Jungle walk could also be conducted in the area.

In Nepal tourists are taken to Chitwan National park where they are shown the wildlife. It is one of the biggest sources of foreign exchange earning there. In his article Yusuf has tried to highlight the potential of adventure tourism that could be conducted within the vicinity of Srinagar. It is surprising that Idrees did not raise hue and cry when a French skier, Sylvan Sudan was operating the Heli-Skiing in Mahadev area during winter, which caused not only the noise, but air pollution in the area as well. The regular Helicopter sorties could be more harmful to wildlife than laying a calm Cable Car. The cable car could also be beneficial for the Wildlife Department to keep watch and ward and for providing food to animals on upper reaches during winter when it becomes impossible to reach there in waist deep snow. I believe that adventure activities could be nicely organized in the Zabarvan range without harming the wildlife. From here one could go to Pahalgam and Sonamarg and is ideal place for bush walkers as well.

Organizing Ski-touring in the upper reaches of Dachigam National Park could be in the best interest of wildlife protection because it is not possible for wildlife guards to roam around in winter. The explorers and ski- mountaineers are in fact good friends of wildlife. They never harm them but keep giving reports about their existence in the far-flung areas. I quote an example here that in 1986 an International ski-mountaineering expedition was conducted in Lidder valley in which me and my friend Mohammad Yusuf were also participating. While skiing in Sekiwas and Marsar area (upper reaches of DNP) we spotted the foot prints of Snow leopard. On our return we informed the wildlife Department about the existence of this extinct specie in the Lidder valley. We were not believed and our report was nullified at that time. But after lapse of about 5 years a villager found a cub in the area which confirmed that we were correct. It seems that Mr. Idrees has no concept of eco-tourism so is criticizing Yusuf. He is suggested to take a daylong trek from Dhara to Lidwas, see the countryside and feel the nature. He will certainly feel pride there and desire that every Srinagarite go there on every weekend. He will also see that how high we the Srinagarites are now living, sharing the domain with wild animals without any conflict. For SDA I suggest to clear the mass which has accumulated on the rocks at Dhara. One could organize Sport Climbing there on every holiday for Srinagarites and SDA could earn revenue out of it.

About Author:

Mr. Mehraj Din, 56, was born in Srinagar. After graduating with an Arts degree from the Sri Pratap College in Srinagar, he briefly attended the University of Kashmir. Along with his studies he took advanced studies in adventure sports like mountaineering and skiing. He is one of the pioneers of Ski-mountaineering and Paragliding in India. He is now an adventure tour consultant, running a tour and travel business with outlets in Srinagar, Nepal and Bhutan. He is associated with many voluntary adventure sports organizations and is heading the J&K Ski & Mountaineering Association. He has intensively trekked and skied in India, Nepal, Europe and Australia. Feedback dinhighland@gmail.com or called at 9906597335.

The article was published in Greater Kashmir on June 21, 2010

Skiing Possible In Srinagar...!

By Mohamad Yousuf

When we talk of extreme sports we just think of Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg etc unaware of the fact that a vast sea of adventure lies open to us within the Srinagar limits. Surprisingly snow skiing is also possible here but should someone explore the possibility of its promotion. A mountain called Mahadev, in Zabarvan range at Harwan offers great challenge for adventurers. It has the potential for skiing and snowboarding. It is now time for Srinagar Development Authority to adopt the mountain and promote adventure here. To our dismay the SDA is just concerned about raising huge buildings with no plans of making Srinagar a Green City. Srinagar does not only offer heritage, religious, conference and pleasure tourism etc but it has vast scope of hosting adventure tourism as well. The SDA may say that promoting adventure tourism is the duty of Tourism Department but like other Development Authorities they are supposed to, besides construction work, indulge in the promotion of tourism in Srinagar city.

Srinagar is walled by Zabarwan range on its eastern area. This range offers best possibilities of hosting trekking, orienteering, jungle safari, paragliding, rock-climbing and the fascinating snow skiing. Certainly, the word skiing must have surprised all of you. Yes, Mt. Mahadev remains snow bound till late May and has excellent ski runs. Notably Mahadev, 13,013 feet is the highest peak in Srinagar. Credit goes to Biscoe School for exploring this magnificent mountain nearly hundred years back for undertaking trekking by their students but unfortunately they never conceived idea of promoting skiing there. The rich Heli-skiers have been skiing in the area for long. But for the first time a local team, led by this writer undertook a ski-mountaineering expedition to Mahadev in May 1998. The team carried their skis from Harwan to Chakdara on their shoulders and there onwards they climbed the mountain with specially designed mountain skis, fitted with seal skins and crampons. The skis, fitted with Special Mountain Bindings permitted them to walk up on steep snow covered slopes. The expedition set up base camp at Lidwas and zoomed down all nearby ridges including Mahadev top. It was first attempt of its kind in Srinagar. If we really have to put Srinagar on Skiing map of India we need to install a cable car from Chakdhara to Lidwas and some poma lifts near the peak. The J&K State Cable Car Corporation must give thought to it. Surely in summer the lift would earn good revenue because everybody now desire to go deep in the city jungles to seek pleasure. I desire that every school should facilitate their students to climb Mahadev and have 360 degree panoramic view of the city. If Government has any plan to develop Srinagar Mount Mahadev must be kept in mind.

Published in Daily Greater Kashmir on 5th June, 2010

Destination Sonamarg

Sonamarg, the Golden Meadow, has a tremendous potential of hosting many adventure tourism events. Are we prepared to tap it, asks Mohamad Yousuf

Sonamarg is set high in the Sindh valley before the Westward flow of the river Sindh is turned south to the vale of Kashmir. At this point it cuts through a line of igneous rock running North-West to South-East, weathered and firm. Nichnai and Thajewas Valleys form North and South run alongside these harder strata to join the Sindh just below Sonamarg near shitkari village. Sonamarg is not simply a picnic spot and a base for Shri Amarnathji yatra but is a wonderful destination for adventure tourism. It has tremendous potential for outdoor pursuits which need to be exploited by the tourism players. It is also one of the best places to study flora and fauna of the state but unfortunately it has always remained out of focus of the Government.

This tourist destination stands second to none all over the world. There is no other place in India where all types of snow, water and mountain based adventure activities could be conducted simultaneously. God has gifted it with all those ingredients that are required for seeking high adventures. Sonamarg could offer a host of many adventure sporting activities round the year. It has a wild mountain beauty that always greets the explorers.

The gushing River Sindh is ideal for wild water sports, such as rafting, kayaking and hydraulic Zorbing. The river, from Baltal to Shitkari, has grade 1 to 4 rapids, making it ideal for novices as well as for extreme rafters. One can further extend his rafting trip up to Ganderbal if he does portage at Hung/Shitkari for about a kilometer because huge rocks and other hurdles are lying in the middle of the river here, making this stretch a hazardous one. Should someone arrange clearing these hurdles the river Sindh could offer enchanting long commercial rafting/Kayaking run straight from Baltal to Ganderbal passing through picturesque countryside of north Kashmir? The Tourism Department has conducted two International Rafting Championships here and the third is being held soon. The main thrust for going through with such major events should have been to generate employment in rafting sector. The Tourism Ministry has never come up with a policy to develop this sector of tourism in Kashmir while as rafting trade is flourishing in Ladakh region. On the one hand Tourism Department is spending millions of rupees for organizing the Championship and on the other hand Sonamarg Development Authority is charging Rs.5.5 lacs to an unemployed youth to run commercial rafting at Sonamarg, Surprisingly, the other rafting companies at Pahalgam, Mammar and Wusan are charged a meager amount of Rs.2,000.00 per boat per month. This is purely anti youth and anti tourism policy of the concerned ministry in Kashmir.

For general public Rafting is run by a rafting company “Mountain Magic” at Sonamarg. Sonamarg Rafting has no parallel at any other place in the valley. It is because of these factors that our dynamic Chief Minister Jenab Omar Abdullah ran down a very high graded river stretch at Sonamarg last year. To make rafting a safe and secure affair the Mountain Magic has employed foreign River Guides. It has three sections of 3, 8 and 20 nautical miles run. Rafting is best way to experience fun, thrill, challenge and excitement with families at Sonamarg. Every School and College must allow their students to undertake a pleasure rafting trip at Sonamarg whenever they happen to go Sonamarg for excursion or trekking.

Sonamarg is considered mountaineering paradise. Some of the best mountaineering and rock-climbing is in Thajiwas or in the Sogput Dhar. There are some long and more technical rock faces at Shitkari as well. The mighty peaks such as Vishensar, Umbrella, Cefn Carnedo, Innominate, Mosquito, Valehead, Crystal and Blade/Arrow, etc. offer great challenge to intended climbers.

Sonamarg offers wide variety of high altitude trekking. It is a base for many magnificent treks. One can undertake circular treks to Amarnathji Cave; Bandipora; Gurez; Drass; and Pahalgam etc. A trek to Krishensar, Vishensar, and Gangabal is most interesting among all. It has nearly 55 high altitude lakes within a radius of 20 Kilometers. One can also undertake day treks from Sonamarg to Ludderwas, Eagle’s Nest, Sarbal, Amaranth cave, Lashi Pathri, Thajewas, Zabnar, Hapatnar and Kazim ridge etc. Zabnar, 4040 mtr. high above sea level makes a splendid day walk and provides one of the finest view points in the area for peaks such as Nanga Parbat, Nun & Kun and Amarnath massif etc.

Sonamarg is also called “valley of glaciers”. It receives heavy snowfall during winter but unfortunately it remains cut off from rest of the state during winter. The frequent avalanches in Shitkari area blocks the road and makes it impossible for tourism players to sell winter tourism here. Score of European Heli-Skiers have zoomed down the virgin passes, ridges and long ski runs covered with fantastic powder snow in Gund and Kulun areas. From April to July it is possible to ski the whole Thajewas Nar. Glacier 6 is not crevassed and provides good ski runs. Glacier 3 would make a fine ski-mountaineering expedition to the peaks “Valehead” and “Umbrella”. A Ski team of J&K Ski & Mountaineering Association, led by this writer, undertook first-ever reconnaissance expedition to Thajewas glaciers in May 1988. The team along with some Swiss skiers also undertook ski tour to Bear Valley. There is also possibility of operating other snow sports here.

Sonamarg is also ideal for aero sports. There is best and constant wind condition for Paragliding and Parasailing here. Paragliding pilots could fly here on land as well as on glacier. Paragliding was first introduced in Sonamarg way back in May 1988 by JKSMA. The team took first flight from Glacier 2 to the Thajewas base which in fact was first flight of its kind in the sub-continent.

There is also possibility of organizing many other allied adventure and recreational activities like Zorbing, Mountain Biking, Grass Skiing, Angling, Orienteering and snow baseball etc. Orienteering is a Cross-Country race involving map reading. Competitors make their way through unfamiliar mountain terrain using a compass and a topographical map. There is also possibility of introducing Scree Running in Vishensar area. Scree is an accumulation of rock debris on a mountain or hill. Scree Running is a method of descending gravelly slope. There are number of naturally groomed scree slopes covered with fine small loose stones here.

Sonamarg is an amazing and magnificent place where you will always love to be. This is the time for you to pay a visit. So what are you waiting for?

Published in Daily Greater Kashmir on June 3, 2010