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

Polo in the waters of Kashmir

Tourism players have a role to play now when the domestic tourism is picking up fast in the valley and tourism players have a role to play. Inventing, introducing and encouraging new tourist products in today’s competitive market would help attract more tourists and boost the industry in the state writes Mohamad Yousuf

God has gifted us with Snow, Water and Mountains. Ours being the most liked tourist destination in the country we must make full use of these natural resources and heal up the ailing tourism industry. Tourism Department is undoubtedly working hard to bring back the glorious days of Kashmir tourism. For promotion of adventure tourism the Director Tourism, Mr. Farooq Shah is more concerned and is making all out efforts to create one or the other tourist attracting activity here. Holding of festivals and adventure activities at national and international levels by the department has carried message of peace all over the world and more and more tourists have now started pouring in. It was great of Tourism Department to introduce American national sports, Baseball, on Snow at Gulmarg during winter this year. Snow Baseball was a brainchild of Mr. Farooq Shah which received accolades worldwide. But there are still many more things to be done. Besides tulip, saffron, Shikara, gardens and heritage sites etc we have many more things in Srinagar which need to be exploited by the Tourism Department and its alliances in a big way. Mount Mahadev has excellent ski runs thereby offering ski-touring within Srinagar limits till late April.

In Srinagar we have number of world famous water bodies, like Dal Lake, Nigeen Lake and river Jhelum where we could promote scintillating water based activities like jet boating, water skiing, aqua-parasailing and other paddle sports etc. A new ball and paddle sport called Canoe Polo has come up in the world. We need to develop and encourage it.

Polo is an ancient game in which two teams of players riding on horses play with hammers. With the passage of time the cyclists started playing polo on their bicycles. Not only cyclists but the swimmers also introduced it in water. While the paddlers introduced it in lakes and today we have different types of polo.

It is catching up fast all over the world but only we lag. After adopting this fascinating, scintillating and thrilling paddle sport the competitions are regularly held at regional and International levels. Canoe Polo has become one of the best sources of recreation and pleasure today.

Canoe polo is a game played on still waters by 2 teams who paddle hard, pass ball from hand to hand and throw it in each other’s goal posts to score goals. It is often described as combination of water polo, basket ball and Kayaking. It is admitted fact that this unique sport has tremendous potential in our state, particularly in Srinagar, which is known as the City of Lakes.

The Kayaks and Canoes were basically used for travel and transportation for hundreds of years by many cultures. Canadian Canoeing was started by Red Indians in North America and Kayaking by Eskimos. Today we have not only the competitive Kayaking and Canoeing but we have invented Canoe Polo as well.

Jammu And Kashmir State has in fact played a pioneering role in introducing and developing Kayaking and Canoeing in India. We are known as fathers of modern Kayaking and Canoeing in India. First two National Championships were consecutively organized on the waters of Dal Lake, in 1988 and 1989. Kashmir University introduced it at All India Inter-Varsity level in 1999. It is incredible that out of five Inter-University championships Kashmir University has hosted it thrice and lifted championship trophies twice.

The J&K Police and J&K Youth Services Department are also promoting these sports here for long. It is praiseworthy that all the three organizations have raised lot of infrastructure for promotion of these sports but unfortunately, accept Kashmir University; no other organization has ever conceived idea of introducing Canoe Polo in their Centers, though they have produced ace kayakers and canoeists. Canoe Polo could become our national sport should someone have given little attention towards its development. Pertinently most of us live close to water bodies and know the art of paddling. We have plenty of small boats (Shikaras) available here and have easy access to them. Our youth could easily learn this kind of polo and become strong contenders in the world. It is now right time for us to start training youth, forming polo teams and holding regular feedback competitions. Sponsoring the first-ever State Canoe Polo Championship by our Tourism Department could be a big gift to youth who are celebrating the International Year of Youth this year. No doubt they have made an attempt in the past but the sport could not sustain.

In its effort to introduce Canoe Polo in India the Kashmir University Lake Club (ULC) started training its students to this healthy sport last year under the supervision of this writer. The ULC is all set to arrange a demonstration match during next All India Inter-University Kayaking and Canoeing Championship. The University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Riyaz Punjabi is an avid aquatic athlete. He has great love for water sports and is keen to develop aquatics. Under his patronization the University lifted Team Championship trophy in Canoeing in last All India Inter-University Championship. The Tourism Department should try to arrange a demonstration Canoe Polo match during forthcoming Common Wealth Games in Delhi which would help not only to introduce this sport in sub-continent but will also help promote much needed sports tourism in J&K.

For promoting sports tourism the Tourism Department and other tourism players will have to work together and exploit every unexploited tourist product whichever we can offer to intended tourists. Special adventure programmes must be conducted for College and University youths so as to raise trained manpower for adventure tourism. There is also need of setting up a Research Wing in the Tourism Department which could invent, introduce and promote new recreational activities that help state to lure more tourists here.

Published in Daily Greater Kashmir on May 19, 2010

Road of Tragedy

By Obaid Yousuf

This refers to Man-Eater in the City by Mohamad Yousuf published in We the Srinagartes column of City Page. The author has just highlighted the hazards and miseries faced by the people on the road of tragedy, the By-Pass. The authorities are requested to kindly listen to us this time and protect our children from accidents who wait for their school buses on this dangerous road.

The sleeping serpent (By-Pass) will keep on killing people till the concerned agencies do not awaken and construct a service road parallel to the highway.

On reading the title Man Eater in the City, I was frightened that if the man-eater has really attacked the City but after going through the write-up I could imagine that By-pass is really turning into a death trap. Amazingly on the one had Yusuf tried to aware masses about protection of wildlife and on the other hand he expressed hardships faced by the people here due to road terror. Sure both, the wild as well social animals are precious and need protection. Before taking up a project, the constructing agencies must see whether sufficient funds are available with them to execute the work. How ironic it is that ERA is unnecessarily digging the roads and then leave them open for longer periods creating difficulties to the people. We are not crying for the rain waters that have accumulated and submerged the entire southern city because we know our fault of opting to live in the low lying areas so have to bear with it. But demolishing of the safe footpaths or service roads by ERA is objectionable. They are exposing the pedestrians to high risks by making them to walk on main Bypass. They should not spread hands beyond their limits. T is not sensible to dig up the entire road and then leave it half done. Yusuf is right in saying that when a wild animal kills a human being, people raise hue and cry and curse t he animal but when a human kills a human no other human being raise the issue against the defaulter agencies. It is now right time for NGO’s to wake up and take up the matter with higher authorities.

About Author:

Obaid Yousuf is a B.Com student of Govt. Degree College, Bemina and is simultaneously pursuing GNIIT (Software Engineering) from National Institute of Information Technology. In his leisure time he writes articles on sports and social issues. Photography is also his hobby. Feedback at: ubaidyusuf@hotmail.com

The article was published in Daily Greater Kashmir on May 3, 2010

Man Eater In The City

By Mohamad Yousuf

When a wild animal occasionally visits the interiors of Srinagar city everybody get panic and feel insecure. Just on hearing the presence of wild visitor in the city we start shouting against the Wildlife Department and ridicule the poor animal whose domain we have snatched. On spotting them in the city we some time even burn them alive or shoot them at site with guns, though we know the ways and methods to keep them away. But what about a Python, which is silently sleeping in the outskirts of Srinagar city for long? This is non else but a serpentine road called By-Pass. The premier road which is running from Pathachok to Shalteng has virtually become a dreaded man eater serpent. This killer road has eaten up hundreds of people ever since it is constructed.

With the increase of vehicular traffic it is becoming more and more hazardous than before. There always remains a threat of life to thousands of people living close to By-Pass. It has become more Khoni Road in Srinagar than the infamous Khoni Nallah on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

This writer has seen many dreadful accidents occurred on this road. Few years back an uncontrolled truck hit a lady who was waiting for bus near Tengpora Bridge. On reaching to the victim we found her one leg laying at one place and rest of the body far away which shook every by passer there. Another surprising accident occurred during night when a family of Gujars (Nomads) was escorting a herd of sheep on way back to their home land in Jammu region. A rash truck driver killed more than 150 domestic animals of the herd and two of their escorts. After losing its control the truck stuck in an open wide ditch. Later after searching other missing women she was found lying in the deep dug ditch under a wheel of the truck. She was pulled out live and unhurt from the wheel. It was nothing but a miracle. On Tuesday evening (20th April 2010)) one elderly resident, 75 years, of Alnoor Colony, Hyderpora, Mr. Ghulam Nabi Shah was hit and run by a fast driven car near Classic Hospital when there was heavy down poor in the city. The poor resident was going to mosque to offer prayers. He is critically injured, suffering multiple fractures on his lower limb. Being an acute diabetic patient he is fighting for life in Bone and Joint Hospital for last three days. This all happened due to pathetic condition of service road. The old man was forced to walk on main busy By-Pass. The deep dug open drains on service road of the By-Pass don’t permit free movement to pedestrians here.

There is water and only water everywhere all along this road making impossible to walk around here. These open drains have become “Mot Ka Kuan” (death trap). Now the question arises, who is responsible for Mr. Shah’s accident? Is it the fast running car or the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) which has left the drains half done and made impossible for citizens to move around on foot path of service road?

Is there anyone who could address this grave situation or is there anyone else who could file a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) against the agencies looking after this dreaded man eater road (By-Pass). Someone has to come forward to save the precious lives of people here.

Published in Daily Greater Kashmir on April 28, 2010

Scaling A New High

Throwing Peaks open in Ladakh for climbing delights Mohamad Yousuf

This refers to the writ up “Mountaineering on Ladakh peaks gets green signal” written by Arif Shafi Wani, (Greater Kashmir, Sports page April 15, 2010). I.M.F stands for Indian Mountaineering Foundation and not Indian Mountaineering Federation as mentioned in the report. Indian Mountaineering Foundation is a controlling body of Mountaineering in India. It is obligatory for every Indian or foreign team to book the particular peak with I.M.F and seek necessary permission before launching expedition in Indian Himalayas. It is not only because of security reasons that the I.M.F books the peaks but for avoiding jumbling of climbers of different nations on the particular peak as otherwise there could be clashes among mountaineers for choosing the climbing route and setting up base camps etc.

It is heartening that the Govt. of India has finally thrown open the mighty peaks in Ladakh Himalayas for climbing. I remember in early seventies I had to obtain permission from Superintendent of Police, Srinagar for visiting Leh. It is laudable step taken by Defence Ministry. It would certainly help promote adventure tourism in Ladakh region but what about Kashmir? We do not have lofty peaks in the valley but we have world’s best trekking routes all around which could lure thousands of foreign and domestic trekkers here. It is true that the presence of troops on the trekking routes does not permit tourist players to organize trekking expeditions freely and fearlessly for intended tourists. The most beautiful trekking routes in Kashmir we have are from Sonamarg to Gangabal and back to Kangan via Naranag or a trek from Bandipore to Gangabal and back to Sonamarg or Kangan. One can find variety of flowers and more than fifty mountain lakes on this route which include famous Gangabal, Gadsar, Krishensar and Vishensar etc. The other best trekking route we have in Kashmir is from Pahalgam to Kulun via Sunmous or Yemhar pass. Both these routes are suitable not only for trekking but for ski-touring as well. In 1984 this writer successfully led a ski-mountaineering expedition from Pahalgam to Surfrah in Sindh valley which is still a record.

We need to explore more routes for trekking and ski-touring in the valley for which we have more potential than climbing peaks in Ladakh. Mountaineers are less but trekkers are in abundance, so Kashmir should take benefit of it. We can attract a large chunk of tourists to our trekking areas. The Tourism Department must make its effort to get clear all these trekking routes from the troops forthwith. It is true that besides Pirpanjal range, we have number of small but more challenging peaks in Sindh and Lidder valleys which include Umbrella peaks, Mosquito peak, Cnf Carnedo, Innominate, Valehead, Crystal Peak, Blade/Arrow, Nichnai peak and Mount Harmukh etc in Sindh valley, while Mount. Kolahoi and Sheeshnag peak etc. in Lidder valley and Sunrise, Sunset and Tatakoti peaks etc. in Pirpanjal range. Rauf Tramboo has well said that the tourists feel scared in mountainous regions of Kashmir due to presence of troops but his suggestion to charge fee to foreign expeditions to earn revenue for the state is not fare. He must know that the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, Delhi is already charging huge sum on account of permission fee to foreign expeditions. Charging more fees by state Government may cause damage to adventure tourism. . Money should not be consideration for our Tourism Department if we really have to boost adventure tourism in the state, instead they should pay some incentives to adventure promoters/operators. As per my knowledge the I.M.F was providing some share of the money earned through fee to Himalayan states but I fail to understand where this money has gone in J&K. Surely this money was not properly utilized for the purpose it was provided to our state. I remember sometime back the Ex-Director General Tourism/Ex-President of J&K Mountaineering and Hiking Club, M. Ashraf had moved a proposal to raise a sport climbing wall in the valley from the money received from I.M.F but unfortunately this artificial wall never came into existence in Kashmir till date, though there is urgent need of procuring this artificial climbing wall. This could help us to promote Sport Climbing (competitive rock-climbing) and train local youth to Mountaineering. At the moment we do not have trained manpower who could go as liaison Officer with foreign expeditions to Ladakh Himalayas. Surely someone else will be benefited. Pertinently Kashmir has given birth to great mountaineers like Late Master Chandra Pandit, Late Samasar Chand Koul and Late Abdul Rehman (popularly known as Rehman Nanga) who have been part and parcel of earlier expeditions to dreaded Nanga Parbat and K2. We do not have good climbers in the new generation.

Published in Greater Kashmir on April 19, 2010