Lahaul Spiti Valley, part of the Great Himalayan National Park, will host what is tagged as the highest marathon in the world to raise awareness about the environmental destruction of the region and champion the cause of conservation.
The marathon, beginning Sunday, 23 March, aims to raise awareness about the ecological damage and fragility of the Sissu Valley and the surrounding region. More than 250 people are participating in the marathon, which will be held in four different categories: 42 kilometres, 21 kilometres, 10 kilometres, and 5 kilometres.
Ravi Kumar, the organizer, in an interview with the ANI, discussed the details of the marathon, which aims to spread awareness about the region. He further emphasised that the marathon has not only helped to make people aware of the damage ongoing in the region but also increased conscious tourism and employment generation for the locals.
To ensure that the event is waste-free the organizers have partnered with Bisleri to recycle the plastic generated and have pledged to make the event plastic-free. Kumar also talked about the exposure it has given to the region. It has made Lahaul popular among international tourists and has gained a lot of attention for what is happening in the region.
The event is open to all and organized every year in the Lahaul Valley. People of different ages can participate in this unique event and champion the cause of climate conservation. Other than civilians, army personnel actively participated in the event.ge, it needs to invest in capacity building and strict management to address the drawbacks.
