Secretary Tourism Sarmad Hafeez Sunday morning flagged off Mountain biking event from Zabarwan Park in which over 40 riders participated.
As part of its Valley Weekend tourism promotional campaign, the department of tourism organized Sky Running, Mountain Biking and Hiking events.
The sky running started at 7 am in which over 20 athletes from Srinagar participated. The athletes climbed the Shankracharya hill from UN office at Sonwar who ran over 10 km over the recently developed trails by forest department. The athletes finished run at Nehru Park.
Secretary Tourism Sarmad Hafeez flagged off the Mountain Biking event from Zabarwan Park in which over 40 riders from different districts participated. Director Tourism Kashmir Mahmood A Shah, Deputy Director Tourism Riyaz Beigh were also present on the occasion. The riders paddled 16 kilomteres through these newly developed trails. The MTB event was organized in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Mountain Biking Association.
As December 3 is also celebrated as International Day of People with Disabilities, the department also organized hiking event for disabled persons especially children.
The children hiked upto 2.5km uphill who were assisted by members from JKMBA.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Tourism said Valley Weekend not only promotes tourism but also engages youth in lot of activities.
He said the department wants to keep activities happening in the State so that tourists not only enjoy beauty but have local experience also.
Secretary Tourism Sarmad Hafeez said Mountain Biking is a good sporting activity which needs to be promoted among locals for healthy living and also helping in reducing the pollution levels.
Director Tourism Kashmir said Valley Weekend is generating lot of response from the locals and a positive image is also being sent across the country that Kashmir is a safe place to visit where locals are actively involved in many activities.
