The Border Security Force (BSF), in collaboration with the International Human Rights Organisation (IHRO), organised a half marathon in Bandipora on Sunday to promote Wullar Lake as a global tourist destination.
Inspector General of BSF Ashok Yadav, flagged off the marathon, which featured 21 km and 10 km categories for both male and female participants. IHRO President Altaf Ahmad and a prominent actress were also present at the event.
More than 600 participants from across the country participated in the marathon, which began at BSF headquarters and concluded at Wullar Vintage Park, Bandipora.
Participants expressed their gratitude for being part of the Wullar Half Marathon and hoped for similar events in the future.
According to the organizers, the event was more than just a race; it symbolized collaborative efforts to establish Wullar Lake as a premier tourist destination in Asia.
“Wular Lake is renowned across the continent for its unique ecosystem and scenic beauty,” stated an IHRO representative. “However, it has often been overlooked in the broader tourism narrative. Our goal is to draw the attention of government agencies and stakeholders to its immense potential.”
The organisers emphasised the event’s potential impact on the local economy. “This event serves as a beacon to promote tourism, which will boost economic opportunities for the communities living around the lake,” the representative added. “Such initiatives pave the way for better livelihoods, bringing direct benefits to local residents.”
The marathon also aimed to strengthen community bonds. “We hope this event fosters stronger connections between the security forces and the people of Jammu and Kashmir, promoting peace and harmony,” officials said.
IGP BSF Kashmir Ashok Yadav explained that the primary objective was to showcase Wular Lake’s beauty and inspire Bandipora’s youth to embrace sports and showcase their talents.
Notable attendees included MLA Bandipora Nizamuddin Bhat, CO 13RR, DySP Hajin Rameez Rashid, DySP Sumbal Mohammad Amin, IHRO Chairman Nem Singh Premi, DySP Headquarters Lateef Ahmad, DySP DAR Ahmad Shafi, SHO Aragam Yaqub Dunoo, and other prominent organisation members.
The event concluded with a prize distribution ceremony honoring the first, second, and third-place winners in different age categories.
