Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 5: Tawi Trekkers J&K initiated its series of one-day winter treks with 102 enthusiastic students, including 51 girls from Oriental Academy Sr. Secondary School in Jammu. The trek covered a short yet picturesque route from Kattal Batal (5 kilometers from Nagrota) to Aitham (7 kilometers short of Surinsar) via Bhaid Devta.
The group was led by the club’s President, Ram Khajuria, and accompanied by the school’s Principal, Vivek Chauhan, senior members Sonam Sidharth and Suksham Verma, as well as three teachers: Arvinder Kaur, Sudesh Kumar, and Pinki Sharma. Ananjan Raghav, a club member, also joined the trekking expedition.
The participants enjoyed a pleasant 3-kilometer stroll from Kattal Batal to Bhed Devta, where they were thrilled to witness a large number of sacred fish in the river Tawi, revered in this region. The next four kilometers involved a gentle ascent along a well-laid path amidst charming pine trees and a babbling streamlet, creating a more attractive trekking experience.
At a point amidst the cool and serene streamlet, aptly named “Apple Point” by Tawi Trekkers, the students refreshed themselves with fresh fruits and juice. All the students, most of whom were on their maiden trek, fully relished the journey from Bhed Devta to Aitham.
After having lunch at a viewpoint at Aitham, the trekkers proceeded to Surinsar Lake, where they enjoyed a scenic round of the beautiful lake. However, they expressed disappointment at the condition of the pathway around the lake, which was badly broken at many places.
The “One Day Short Trek Series” aims to introduce children to the outdoors, instill in them a spirit of adventure and a love for nature, and promote heritage sites and lesser-visited beauty spots in Jammu, such as Mohore Garh, Dhergarh, Bhupnergarh, Purmandal, and Bhed Devta. These sites are linked to create an adventure, heritage, and pilgrimage circuit.
The “One Day Short Trek Series Program,” which expects participation from about 2000 boys and girls during the winter months, is organized by Tawi Trekkers J&K with active cooperation from local institutions and in collaboration with the Mountaineering Association of J&K, under the patronage of the J&K Sports Council. |
