SRINAGAR: The Adventure Tour Operators Association of Kashmir (ATOAK) Wednesday alleged that lackadaisical approach from Pahalgam Development Authority was making trekking along Lidder Valley difficult. According to a statement issued here, the ATOAK has accused the PDA of not paying to their pleas of constructing bridges over Satlanjan Nallah and Tarsar Nallah.
The adventure enthusiasts including trekkers and climbers those who visit Mount. Kolahai and Tarsar lake area return back disappointed after trekking for about 25 Kms all the way from Pahalgam as they were not able to cross the main streams of Satlanjan Nallah and Tarsar Nallah at many places, the statement read.
It said that the foot bridges are washed away at many places due to heavy snowfall and flash floods, creating problems for trekkers who are enroute to Kolahi glacier and Tarsar Lake.
Since April 2016 we have made several pleas and requests to the Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) to put the footbridges near Satlanjan and Skiwas camping grounds and at many other places on way to Kolahai and Tarsar lake. Due to non availability of these bridges trekkers return back half way, the statement said.
It also said that trekkers have to face lot of difficulties during the heavy rains.
There is not a single rain shelter along the route which is disappointing, ATOAK said.
It accused that CEO Pahalgam was apprised about these problems many a times but to no avail.
ATOAK members are losing a substantial amount of finances as those trekkers who are already booked to trek in this area are demanding refunds, the statement said.
We request the department of tourism to direct the CEO Pahalgam to construct new bridges and mend the old and existing ones so that trekkers face no problems in visiting this pristine valley, it said.
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