Trekking should be encouraged in new and as yet unknown destinations in Uttarakhand. Chief Minister, Trivendra Singh Rawat, said this while flagging off Himalayan Digdarshan Yatra-Sarutal from the CM residence here on Monday.
Rawat said that trekkers tend to visit new destinations which also helps others know about such places. The specialties and problems in such an area also become known. Mountain trekking expeditions also increase the interest of tourists and trekkers in new tourist destinations which in turn enhance the employment opportunities for the local residents.
The Chief Minister, further, said that trekking expeditions should be linked with conservation of Himalaya and environment, revival of rivers, campaign for cleaning the Ganga, a polythene-free environment and tree plantation. He also spoke of linking as many women as possible with mountaineering.
The Sarutal trekking expedition will be conducted from October 22 to 27. The 14-member trekking team, starting from Dehradun will trek to Devjani, Kedarkantha, Dunda, Talhati, Sarutal, Dobalka, Sar and Ghingadi among other sites.
It should be mentioned here that Sarutal is a sacred lake situated at an altitude of about 4,200 metres in the Uttarkashi district. Those undertaking the Sarutal trek also get picturesque views of the Gangotri, Swargarohini, Kalanag and Bandarpoonch peaks. The Chief Minister’s industrial advisor KS Panwar was also among those present on the occasion.