Peaks & Pledge: Kashmir Celebrates International Mountain Day 2023

The Tourist Directorate of Kashmir organized an incredible event to celebrate International Mountain Day 2023 on December 11, 2023. To grace the event Dr. Syed Abid Rashid, Secretary to the Government Department of Tourism and Culture, was invited as the special guest.

During the event, Mr. Rashid talked about how important it is to protect the mountains and stressed more towards commitment to responsible tourism. Other important people who were part of the event included the Director of Tourism Kashmir, senior officials from the Department of Tourism, representatives from various travel organizations, and enthusiastic adventurers from different clubs.

Dr. Abid highlighted the significance of the increase in tourism in Kashmir with over 20 million visitors in the current year for various activities like adventure, leisure and pilgrimages. He suggested ways to handle the increasing number of tourists by diversifying tourism, exploring new destinations, and adding new activities.

Dr Abid asked for teamwork from everyone involved and ensured his ongoing support. He asked the trekkers to be responsible by not leaving any waste during the hill treks. He urged the trekkers to understand the sensitivity of the region as a biodiversity hotspot. He requested the trekkers to respect the environment and wildlife to keep the mountains beautiful.

The whole event had an impactful presentation on this year’s theme, “Restoring Mountain Ecosystems.” The speakers spoke with passion about sustainable tourism, emphasizing sharing the responsibility to protect and conserve the majestic landscapes of Kashmir.