Minister flags off cycling race at Lahaul snow fest

Our Correspondent

Kullu, March 14

Technical Education and Tribal Development Minister Ram Lal Markanda flagged off 28-km long Lahaul-Spiti MTB Cycling Race from the Tupchaling Buddhist Monastery during the snow festival in Lahaul and Spiti district today.

The race was organised by the Lahaul Adventure Sports Association and about 50 participants from across the country took part in the competition.

The minister congratulated the association for organising the race and said such an event would encourage adventure tourism in the region.

Naman (20) of Bir village in Kangra secured the first place in the senior category while Joy Kapoor of Tholang village of Lahaul stood first in the junior category. The winners were awarded by the minister.

Markanda said tourism activities were being promoted through the snow festival. He added that opening of the Atal Tunnel Rohtang had given a boost to tourism. He further said there was a lot of potential for adventure tourism in the district. He said efforts were being made to promote snow climbing, rock climbing, trekking, cycling, skiing, snowboarding, paragliding and rafting etc. in the region.

The minister said a junior-level national ski competition would be organised during the snow festival from March 25 to 27 in Koksar. He said it would aid in establishing the district’s identity as a world class skiing site and said state, national and international-level competitions would be organised in Lahaul in the coming time.

The minister said preparations were going on for the upcoming tourist season, adding that efforts would be made to mark the name of the district on the world tourism map. He said infrastructure would be developed to promote eco-friendly and sustainable tourism. “People should pay special attention to the homestay scheme so that balanced and sustainable development of tourism can be ensured,” said the minister.