Tawi Trekkers J&K, the largest trekking club in Jammu and Kashmir, has announced that it will place special emphasis this year on adventure picnics and short heritage treks for school students. These excursions will focus on prominent heritage sites in the Jammu region, including Mohore Garh, Dher Garh, Bhupner Garh-Mansar, Devi Pindianand Naina Devi in Udhampur district. The club has set a participation target of 3,000 students for the current year.
The announcement was made by Ram Khajuria, Advisor to the Club, while outlining the activities featured in the 2026 Calendar of Activities. The calendar was formally released at an impressive function.
The Calendar of Activities was released by chairman of the Club and former Union Home Secretary, Anil Goswami in the presence of the patrons, Ashwani Sharma, former MLA, and Rahul Sharma, chairman of Sprawling Buds ICSE School.
Also present were advisors,Ram Khajuria, Prof. C.K. Khajuria and Vivek Chauhan, Principal of Oriental Academy; Sanjeev Gupta, chairman of Shri Ram Universal School; Risheek Mengi,Director of RM Public School; Sumit Khajuria, president; Shawetica Khajuria, working president; Arti Sharma, senior vice president; Seema Kharyal, vice president;Sonam Sidharth, general secretary; and senior members, Amit Khajuria, Shashi Kant Sharma and Sunil Chakharia.
Detailing the upcoming programmes, Advisor Ram Khajuria stated that the Himalayan Trekking programme for students will be organised during May–June in the Kullu-Manali and Dharamshala-Palampur regions of Himachal Pradesh. In addition, the Club will conduct three trekking expeditions in the Dhauladhar range: a
junior members’ trek to Triund (10,000 ft), a senior members’ expedition to Minkiani Pass (14,500 ft),and a Dalhousie-to-Chamba trek exclusively for senior citizens. A Heritage Trekking Programme in the Kangra region of Himachal Pradesh is also planned between October and December 2026, with participation of around 200 students.
“Among the Club’s most ambitious ventures this year is a challenging 10-day high-altitude trekking expedition in the Stok area of Leh, for which only seven members will be selected,” informed Ram Khajuria.
With the establishment of a standard sport climbing wall at MA Stadium in Jammu, the club has resolved to accord priority to sport climbing, aiming to identify and nurture talent at the grassroots level for future competitions. “An extensive year-long coaching programme and monthly competitions are planned for sport climbers, including those who are physically and visually challenged,” added Khajuria.
A Union Territory-level sport climbing competition exclusively for women will be organised at Sprawling Buds ICSE School in July 2026. This will be followed by an Open Union Territory-level sport climbing competition at M.A. Stadium, Jammu, in October 2026.
Addressing the gathering, Anil Goswami expressed confidence that with coordinated efforts of the club,the Mountaineering Association of J&K, the J&K Sports Council and active cooperation from local educational institutions, the Union Territory of J&K would soon emerge as a formidable force in sport climbing and mountaineering at the international level.
Patron Ashwani Sharma also spoke on the occasion, applauding the club’s achievements over the past 44 years. He particularly lauded its wholehearted support to international climber Shivani Charak, the only female athlete from Jammu and Kashmir to have participated in the Asian Games over the last 78 years.
The function concluded with a tea party hosted by Patron Rahul Sharma, chairman of Sprawling Buds ICSE School, Bantalab, Jammu. Proceedings were ably conducted by Arti Sharma, senior vice president of the Club.
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