ISLAMABAD: To celebrate International Mountain Day 2021, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) in collaboration with Alpine Club of Pakistan and other partner organizations organized a 3-day program to raise awareness about the importance of mountains in human existence and to highlight the potential and restrictions in mountain development.
The inaugural event of the International Mountain Day was held on 10th December 2021 in the President House followed by the Conference on “SUSTAINABLE MOUNTAIN TOURISM”based on the theme of International Mountain Day 2021 on 11th December 2021 at Pearl Continental Hotel Rawalpindi and a field event “Eco-Hike on Trail 5 Margalla Hills Islamabad on 12th December 2021.
On 12th December 2021, a day-long event was held at Margalla Hills National Park Trail 5 to create awareness about mountain tourism among young children and students of various institutes 120 students from Dar-e-Arqam school participated in Nature study camp and Eco-hike to study about the forestry and ecology of Margalla Hills. Students from Riphah University participated in cleanup drive on trail 5 to create awareness about the responsible and sustainable tourism among the masses.
3-day celebrations of International Mountain Day were concluded with a closing ceremony at information center of Trail-5 Margalla Hills Islamabad in collaboration with Alpine Club of Pakistan and Islamabad Wildlife Management Board on 12th December 2021.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Abu Zafar Sadiq, President of Alpine Club of Pakistan, said that clean mountains are essential for the promotion of tourism in the mountains so that their natural beauty is maintained.
“The purpose of celebrating International Mountain Day is not only to promote tourism in the mountains but also to protect the mountains,” said Mr Qarar Haidari, Alpine Club of Pakistan.
Mr Mukhtar Ali, Manager, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, thanked the audience on the occasion of this important day and said that the purpose of such events is to create awareness among the people, especially the youth, to work together to protect the natural environment of the mountains from pollution. There is a need to develop a strategy as well as individual action is also required.”
In his closing remarks, Chief Guests of the ceremony Mr Aftab-ur-Rehman Rana, Managing Director, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, said that Mountains are important not only for its inhabitants but for every human being. Mountains are a source of livelihood as well as a vital source of water for human life. He emphasized that the promotion of sustainable tourism in the mountains requires protection from pollution and strategic planning in the mountains to maintain the natural environment and beauty of the mountains.”
As a national tourism organization, PTDC’s efforts to promote and develop tourism, especially in the mountain areas of Pakistan are not hidden truth. PTDC motivates every Pakistani especially youth to engage in mountain protection and adventure activities.
