Haryana tourism corp to promote voter awareness on state Tourism Day with special trek

The 4km trek will start at 7am from the Saras Tourist Complex in Damdama and will conclude at the Baba Bala Das Temple in Bhelpa village

Updated on: Aug 31, 2024, 05:32:07 IST

By Leena Dhankhar, Gurugram

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The Haryana Tourism Corporation will organise a trek on the Aravalli Nature Trail on Haryana Tourism Day on September 1 as part of ongoing efforts to raise voter awareness ahead of the assembly elections, officials said on Friday.

The Aravalli Nature Trail Trek. (HT Archive)

The trekking route is expected to offer participants stunning views and an opportunity to connect with nature, while also being told about the importance of participating in the democratic process. District administration officials and Election Commission officials are also likely to participate in the trek.

“The 4km trek will start at 7am from the Saras Tourist Complex in Damdama and will conclude at the Baba Bala Das Temple in Bhelpa village. The trek is a unique opportunity to combine the natural beauty of the Aravalli hills with an important civic message about the significance of voting. We aim to educate participants about the vital role of voting in a serene and picturesque setting. The Aravalli hills are not just a natural treasure, but a perfect setting to remind citizens of their civic duty to vote,” said Harvinder Yadav, zonal head of Haryana Tourism Corporation.

The Aravalli Nature Trail Trek has become a popular attraction and participants aged 14 and above are encouraged to join.

The Aravalli mountain range is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including 180 species of birds, 15 species of mammals, 29 species of aquatic animals and reptiles, and 57 species of butterflies, as recorded in a survey conducted a few years ago. Yadav said that the trek will allow participants to experience the breathtaking vistas of the Aravalli hills while observing the rich biodiversity that the area supports.

Through this initiative, Haryana Tourism Corporation aims to blend the appreciation of natural beauty with the crucial message of voter participation, ensuring that the significance of the upcoming elections is highlighted in a memorable and impactful way, said officials.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More