On the lines of Ladakh, now the central Himalayan state of Uttarakhand is also going to take steps towards high altitude ultra marathon. Here too, runners will be seen running at an altitude of three to four and a half thousand meters. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, in a high-level meeting held at the camp office at his residence on Monday, directed the officials to start this marathon with the aim of promoting tourism in the high Himalayan region of the state. This marathon will be from Gunji to Adi Kailash in Kumaon region and Niti Mana to Malari in Garhwal division. The first event of this national level marathon is proposed in the middle of the coming October. The second event will be held in May-June next year.
The Chief Minister said that in view of adventure activities, the organization of high altitude ultra marathon will give a new identity to the state at the national and international level. This activity will promote tourism and rural economy will also improve at the local level through home stay, guide. He directed the officials to include the High Altitude Ultra Marathon in the annual tourism calendar and ensure its regular organization on the scheduled date every year. The Chief Minister also directed to strengthen the disaster management system in the state and provide assistance to the disaster affected within the stipulated time.
Along with this, instructions were given to prepare a detailed action plan regarding fencing and solar fencing to protect crops from wildlife in border and mountainous areas. Principal Secretary RK Sudhanshu, R Meenakshi Sundaram, Secretary Shailesh Bagoli, Additional Secretary Banshidhar Tiwari were present in the meeting.
