The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) organised an Eco-Tourism Walk at the Fatima Jinnah Park here on Friday, in which more than 250 students from selected schools and colleges along with their families participated.

PTDC Managing Director Mir Shahjahan Khetran, who led the walk from Khyber Gate to Shalimar Gate of the Fatima Jinnah Park, said that the PTDC organised the walk to create awareness among young people about importance of natural environment and eco-tourism. He stated that the PTDC, in collaboration with the defunct Ministry of Tourism and NGOs, had initiated a number of eco-tourism projects in different parts of Pakistan, including Khunjerab, Chitral, Chouperson Valley, Dir, Kohistan, Hussaini, Gilgit and Shimshal Valley. To create awareness among the general public, brochures are published and with the help of local community the projects are implemented in order to develop this type of tourism.

Eco-tourism is a form of tourism that involves traveling to tranquil and unpolluted natural areas. According to the definition and principles of eco-tourism established by the International Ecotourism Society (TIES) in 1990, eco-tourism is “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.”

At the culmination of the walk, certificate and shields were distributed among students and participating schools.