Srinagar, September 11: The department of tourism and Jammu and Kashmir Mountaineering and Hiking Club (JKMHC) organized two Sunday treks to Tulain Lake and Sourse Lake in Pahalgam.
Tulain Lake lies at an altitude of 3,684 metres above sea level and is 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) Southwest from Pahalgam and 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) from Baisaran while as Sourse Lake is at an altitude 3750 meters and 26 kilotetres from Sarbal Village.
Around 60 members of the JKMHC trekked to Tulain lake last Sunday while as 40 also hiked to Sourse Lake the previous Sunday including some female members.
The department of tourism Kashmir is conducting Sunday treks regularly to inculcate the spirit of mountaineering and hiking among the local youth and make them aware about the mountain trails and high-altitude lakes.
Director Tourism Kashmir Mahmood A Shah said it is department’s endeavor to promote adventure tourism in Kashmir and also help local youth in adventure activities.
“We want local youth to take up adventure activities. Kashmir is blessed with many trekking trails for which hikers from across the world visit this place. However, those trekkers need local guides and we are training our youth though such treks on regular basis,” he said.
He said Kashmir has large number of high-altitude lakes where less number of locals trek.
“We have famous high-altitude lakes which also need to be promoted. Most of the locals visit only popular destinations like Pahalgam, Gulamrg, Sonamarg and very few trek to mountains and see the beauty Kashmir is bestowed with,” said Director Tourism.
While appreciating youth for their participation, Director Tourism said the Sunday treks are regular feature which is receiving good response from the locals.
“We have all the equipments and the necessary gear for trekking expeditions. Trekkers from outside the state and country utilize this facility. We want our youth also to utilize them, undertake trekking trails which will also help them earn decent livelihood by guiding non-local especially foreign trekkers,” he said.
The department of tourism has also published comprehensive trekking maps showing all the trekking routes.
The trekking maps have helped both locals and non-locals during trekking expeditions in Kashmir and Ladakh also.