Pakistan Mountain Festival 2014 organised under the umbrella of Sports, Culture and Tourism Directorate of Capital Development Authority (CDA) concluded on Sunday. The CDA organised this festival with the collaboration of Lok Virsa Islamabad and Devcom Pakistan. The Pakistan Mountain Festival 2014 started on December 7 and concluded on December 14, 2014, and was participated by a large number of the residents of twin cities especially the youth. The week-long Festival was comprised of different colourful, educational and cultural activities.
An awareness walk and cleanliness activity titled “Hike and Clean up of Trail-3” was organized on December 07, more than 250 students of different universities and people from different walks of life participated in this 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 08, 2014. A wall climbing activity was staged at 60 feet high artificial wall at Ibex Club Lake View Park on 09 December, 2014 where students from various schools participated in this adventurous sport. A seminar titled ‘’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 our eco-system and the challenges which are being faced by the residents of these areas. The main feature of the Mountains Festival was colourful performance by the Kalash Group Chitral and Hunza Group Gilgit/Baltistan who represented mountain culture and enthralled big audiences.
Chairman CDA, 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 is among the top priorities of the Authority and Pakistan Mountain Festival is one of these efforts. He said that CDA is not only planning to organize cultural events but also tournaments of traditional sports along with national game tournaments will be organized as healthy activities leads to healthy environment. He said that Islamabad being capital hosts the people from all parts of country including Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir and to highlight the culture of these areas in the capital is among the responsibilities of the CDA. He said that Islamabad is the only capital in world which not only have all seasons but also has unique natural landscape and Margallah Hills play distinct role in this natural landscape. So Pakistan Mountain Festival 2014 has not only highlighted the importance of our northern areas but also help create awareness about the natural landscape of Islamabad. He said that in order to provide well maintained sports grounds to the residents of Islamabad, CDA has initiated a project to maintain all sports grounds of Islamabad with the collaboration of private sector.
