ITANAGAR,Oct 11: Chief Minister Pema Khandu today flagged in the 31-member team from the National Institute of Mountaineering & Allied Sports (NIMAS) that summited one of the peaks of Mt Kangto range, the highest in Arunachal Pradesh last month.
Congratulating the team headed by NIMAS Director, Col Sarfraz, Khandu said the state is proud of their achievement as this is the first time in history that one of the Mt Kangto peaks has been conquered.
He advised the team to stake claim formally for being the first team of a huge contingent of 31 members ever summiting a virgin peak counted amongst the highest in the world. Col Sarfraz informed that the range consists of 7 peaks, the highest being Mt Kangto at 7,060 metres and the peak the team conquered was Mt Kangto which is  6,060 meters above sea level. Divided into three parts, the first team reached the summit on September 26 and the second and third got to the peak the next day. “Because of the activities initiated by NIMAS, our state has benefitted immensely. Today our youths are taking up adventure sports like mountaineering seriously. The fact that this 31-member team consists of 10 Arunachalees is a befitting example of this fact,” CM added.  Citing mountaineering as an important sector with regard to tourism prospects, Khandu said that NIMAS being based in Arunachal at Dirang should take the responsibility of promoting it to boost tourism. He further  suggested that NIMAS may take a lead in this direction not only in mountaineering but also in other fields like trekking, cycling, rock climbing, paragliding, mountain biking, zip lining, etc adding that state government is ready to collaborate with them in this direction. To begin with, NIMAS can join the North East Festival proposed to be held at Tawang sometime in December this year, he said, besides requesting the director to collaborate with Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Mama Natung who was also present today.

Being the Vice-president of NIMAS, CM assured all support and cooperation to NIMAS for its future endeavours. Col Sarfraz  shared the technical details of their expedition with CM saying that  it was one of the most difficult summits ever and each member had to ferry  a load of 15 to 25 kgs, make 8 logistics camps, cross two virgin glaciers and travel  a total distance of about 300 kms.
Later, the Chief Minister felicitated all the 31 members of the team with tokens of appreciation and certificates. CMO

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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