Jammu and Kashmir Mountain and Biking Association (JKMBA) Sunday celebrated International Mountain Day with the theme ‘Mountains Matter’ at Hotel Shahenshah.
Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Kashmir Syed Farooq Ahmad Gillani was the chief guest while as Conservator of Forests Srinagar Circle Irfan Ali Shah and President Jammu and Kashmir Mountain Biking Association Rauf Tramboo were among the guests of honour.
While complementing the JKMBA for bringing youth to the eco-friendly sports activities, Gillani assured full support to the association in promoting mountain biking. He suggested exploring many forest trails in Bangus and Lolab for mountain-biking, which remain unexplored. Gillani also said that the Forest Department is re-greening the lost forest for past many years and such adventure sports activities will also help create awareness about the importance of mountains and forest cover.
Speaking on the occasion, Irfan Ali Shah said people need to be made aware about the importance of the forest cover and the mountains which, he said, balances the earth. He also hailed JKMBA for making mountain biking popular in the valley.
President JKMBA Rauf Tramboo gave over all history of the inception of the mountain biking in Kashmir. He said mountain biking in India has started from Kashmir in early 80s, when he led the foreign adventure lovers paddled from Srinagar to Leh. He credited JKMBA for making it popular among the youth who, he said, have great potential in making their name in this sport at national and international level.
Later, Syed Farooq Ahmad Gillani distributed prizes and certificates at the ceremony. On the occasion, Er. Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, Dr. Sheikh Tariq, Jolly Jaleed, Mohammad Amin Lone, Rafiq Ahmad Mir, Danish Nabi, Prof. Sunil Kumar, Yasir Makhdoomi, Umer Nabi, Mohammad Younis Rather, Mohammad Amin Reshi, Rather Mehraj, Dr. Shuja Naqashbandi and Dr. Omar Salim Akhter were given special awards for their achievements during 2018 in different categories.
The event was supported by Legend School of Education and Hayat Traders.