Al Ngullie
Morung Express News
DIMAPUR | FEBRUARY 28
The Central government has identified three adventure trails – one of them Nagaland’s Dzukou Valley – that are to be the launching pad for the Government of India’s new youth adventure scheme, ‘Youth to the EDGE.’ The launch of the pilot adventure scheme is scheduled for February 29 at Tinsukia, Assam.
Thousands of youths from mainland India and NE are expected to converge in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland for combined adventure activities that are scheduled to commence from March 1. Transit and base camps are also being identified in Assam’s Tinsukia and Nagaland’s Dimapur.
The adventure trails are two in Arunachal Pradesh (Roing in Lower Dibang District and Hayuliang/ Wolong in Anjaw District) and one in Nagaland (Dzukou Valley). The 1st batch of Indian youths under the pilot project scheduled to set off for the three trails will be flagged off by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region Paban Singh Ghatowar.
The scheme is envisaged to encourage adventure activities in the North Eastern Region. The pilot scheme is being funded by DoNER through the North Eastern Council (NEC) and was launched by the DoNER Minister on January 30 this year at the Indian Mountaineering Foundation Headquarter Complex in New Delhi. This Scheme has to be executed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYA&S) through National Service Scheme (NSS).
According to the NE ministry, the scheme aims to introduce youths from mainland India to the North Eastern Region. Combined adventure activities along with the youth of the NER would be organized. “They will also be given exposure about local culture, traditions and life style. Conduct of adventure training will benefit the participants by inculcating spirit of adventure, environmental awareness, national integration, casualty evacuation, promotion of adventure tourism, channelizing youth energy in positive direction, sense of self employment and self recognition,” the DoNER stated in its media handout.
Further, “Adventure Camps” are scheduled from March 1, 2012 onwards till mid of May, 2012. Under the scheme, about 2000 youth (with about 1450 youths from mainland India and about 550 from the NE) are expected to take part in adventure activities. “Transit camps are being established at Guwahati, Tinsukia and Dimapur to facilitate smooth passage for youth coming from all over India. Local guides and transport will be provided from Railway Station onwards to the Base Camp (Trail locations) and back,” the ministry stated.
The Union Minster for Youth Affairs & Sports, the ministers of Youth Service & Sports of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland are also expected to be present during the launch.
