Islamabad: Pakistan Mountain Festival 2014 organized by Sports, Culture and Tourism Directorate of Capital Development Authority (CDA), concluded here on Sunday.
The festival organized in collaboration with Lok Virsa Islamabad and Devcom Pakistan, started on December 7. A large number of residents of twin cities especially the youth participated in the festival.
The week-long festival comprised different colorful, educational and cultural activities.
An awareness walk and cleanliness activity titled “Hike and Clean-up of Trail-3″ was organized on December 7. More than 250 students of different universities and people from different walks of life participated in the walk.
In order to highlight beautiful mountain scenery of Pakistan and great potential for climbing and tourism in the Northern Pakistan, a photographic exhibition was arranged at Lok Virsa on December 8.
A wall climbing activity was staged at 60 feet high artificial wall at Ibex Club Lake View Park on December 9 where students from various schools participated in this adventurous sport.
A seminar on the ‘challenges confronting mountains and its people’ was organized at Lok Virsa where experts/researchers/mountaineers and tour operators delivered presentations about the importance of mountains in the eco-system and the challenges which are being faced by the residents of these areas.
The main feature of the Mountains Festival was colorful performance by the Kalash Group Chitral and Hunza Group Gilgit/Baltistan who represented mountain culture and enthralled big audiences.
CDA Chairman Maroof Afzal while appreciating the efforts of Sports, Culture and Tourism Directorate for organizing a successful Pakistan Mountain Festival 2014 said that to provide the residents of Islamabad with healthy recreational facilities was among the top priorities of the Authority and the festival was one of these efforts.
He said the CDA was not only planning to organize cultural events but also tournaments of traditional sports along with national game tournaments would be organized.
He said Islamabad being the capital hosted the people from all parts of country, including Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir and to highlight the culture of these areas in the capital was among the responsibilities of the CDA.
He said that Islamabad was the only capital in world which not only “have all seasons but also has unique natural landscape and Mrgallah Hills play distinct role in this natural landscape.” The Pakistan Mountain Festival 2014 had not only highlighted the importance of northern areas but also help create awareness about the natural landscape of Islamabad, he added.
He said the CDA had initiated a project to maintain all sports grounds of Islamabad with the collaboration of private sector.
Report: APP, Photographs: Dee Jay fotografi
