PTDC, Alpine Club organize mountain hike

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) in collaboration with Alpine Club of Pakistan Sunday organised a ountain Hike and Sapling Plantation campaign on the Trail-5 of Margalla Hills to celebrate International Mountain Day.

Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah was the chief guest on the occasion, addressing the prize distribution ceremony, he said that
International Mountains Day would be celebrated in Gilgit-Baltistan as the people love mountains.

Syed Medhi Shah said that he specially attended the ceremony, because he is the Chief Minister of Mountainous areas. Gilgit-Baltistan is the paradise of mountains and his government is taking various measures to promote tourism.

He said that Dia Mir Basha Dam would bring more happiness in the area, adding: "we need support from all provinces in this regard".

To promote tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan, he said a spacious ground has been constructed in the area. He said that he would attend a seminar regarding mountains in Nepal.

He lauded Alpine club and Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) for organizing such special events in connection with Mountains day.

Replying a question, he said that he in contact with President Asif Ali Zardari and the President would come back soon after getting permission from the doctors.

About 200 students from different colleges and schools of Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Gilgit Baltistan participated in the hike and saplings plantation.

The hike started at Trial-5 Margalla Hills and finished at Capital View Point, Pir Sohawa.

Later joining Trail-3, plantation of the sapling also held along Trail-3 at the selected areas.

International Mountain Day is an opportunity to create awareness about the importance of mountains to life, to highlight the opportunities and constraints in mountain development and to build partnerships that will bring positive change to the world's mountains and highlands. (APP)