GILGIT: Events were held on Saturday to mark the International Mountain Day in Gilgit-Baltistan with the theme to promote sustainable tourism in the region.
Main function was held at the Rakaposhi Viewpoint in Nagar district organised by the local administration with the partner organisations.
GB chief secretary Mohammad Asif, finance minister Javed Ali Manwa, GB Assembly member Ayub Waziri, GB police chief Saeed Wazir, additional chief secretary Syed Ibarar Hussein, home secretary Mohammad Ali Randhawa, secretly forest wildlife and parks Sumair Syed, deputy commissioner Nagar Zaid Ahmed, representatives of GLOF and others were in attendance.
The speakers termed unplanned tourism in the region as biggest threat to its ecology.
On the occasion, chief secretary Mohammad Asif said lives of local people depended on products, including water, agriculture, minerals generated from mountains and the tourism-related activities. He said the young generation should be told about their role to protect mountains.
“It is encouraging that people from all walks of life participated in the event,” he said.
Finance minister Javed Ali Manwa said the regional government was taking steps in consultation with experts for sustainable tourism development in the region.
A glacier clean-up drive was held at the Rakaposhi Viewpoint, where volunteers and students collected garage and solid waste from the tourist point.
Students made models of peaks and glaciers and also displayed paintings. A traditional sword dance was performed by elders on traditional music.
A presentation was also made on peaks, glaciers and heritage of Nagar.
Deputy commissioner Zaid Ahmed said Nagar district had unified landscaping and geographical importance. He said the district was home to many peaks like Rakaposhi, glaciers and lakes.
Events were also held in Skardu, Gilgit and other areas to mark the International Mountain Day.
Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2021
