Kathua, Feb 19: Department of Wildlife Protection on Saturday organised an 8.5 KM trekking expedition here from Thein Conservation Reserve to Keo Naal.
The trek was flagged off by Suresh Kumar Gupta, Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K.
The trek has been developed by the Wildlife Protection Department with facilities like resting places, view points, water points and signages. About 100 participants drawn from different districts including students, scholars, academicia, nature enthusiasts, local youth and PRI members participated in the event.
The participants were grouped into four groups with each group comprising 25 participants.
A 15 minute gap was kept between a group and the following group.
The participants followed strict Covid protocol, maintaining social distance and using masks all through the trek, which started at 10.00 AM and was completed in about four hours by each group.
The event concluded at 5.00 PM. During the trek participants enjoyed the full view of Ranjeet Sagar Dam, the streams, bowlies, biodiversity, ascent and descent of the trek. At the culmination point of the trek, locals had set up refreshment stalls of local cuisine for the participants on payment basis.
While inaugurating the event, Suresh Kumar Gupta, Chief Wildlife Warden highlighted the importance of the trek and such programmes being organized by the Department. He appealed to the participants to carry the message of protection and conservation of nature and wildlife for awareness of the society. Prof. Yash Paul from University of Jammu also addressed the participants and appreciated the initiative taken by the Department of Wildlife protection and apprised the participants about biodiversity along the trek.
The programme was organized by Vijay Kumar, Wildlife Warden, Kathua under the guidance of Dr. Kumar M.K, Regional Wildlife Warden, Jammu.
