Chamoli (Uttarakhand): The scenic and strategically important Niti Valley in Chamoli district witnessed the grand inauguration of the ‘Niti Extreme Ultra Run’ on Sunday, marking a major push to promote border tourism and adventure sports in the region.
The event is being organized by the Tourism Department in collaboration with the Indian Army and the ITBP, with participation from 933 athletes representing 28 states across India. The three-day event aims to boost tourism in border areas, promote local culture at the national level, and encourage fitness awareness among youth.
Flag-Off Ceremony by State Minister
The event was officially flagged off by Cabinet Minister and District In-charge Minister Bharat Singh Chauhan, who emphasized the Uttarakhand government’s continuous efforts to develop border regions and promote tourism-led growth.
He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, such initiatives are strengthening the reach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Fit India’ campaign in remote Himalayan regions.
The minister added that expanding tourism in border villages will create new employment opportunities and further strengthen “second line of defence” villages.
933 Athletes Compete in Ultra and Marathon Events
According to District Tourism Officer Arvind Gaud, the ‘Niti Extreme Ultra Run’ is being held from May 31 to June 2. The first day featured multiple endurance events, including:
- Rimikim–Niti–Malari 75 km Ultra Run with 117 participants
- Malari–Niti–Malari 42 km Ultra Run with 118 participants
Upcoming events include 5 km, 10 km, and 21 km half-marathon races. The concluding day will feature a 30 km MTB cycling challenge between Gamsali and Malari.
Cultural Evening Showcases Local Heritage
Ahead of the sporting events, a cultural evening was organized in Malari village on Saturday night. Popular folk singer Kishan Mahipal captivated the audience with traditional Uttarakhandi folk songs.
The event saw enthusiastic participation from both competitors and local residents, celebrating the region’s cultural heritage and strengthening community engagement.
Strong Administrative and Security Presence
The event was attended by several senior officials and public representatives, including State Minister of State Rank Harak Singh, District Panchayat President Dault Singh Bisht, BKTC Vice President Rishi Prasad Sati, BJP District President Gajpal Bartwal, and other senior administrative and tourism department officials.
Officers from the Home Department, Tourism Department, Indian Army, and ITBP also participated, highlighting strong coordination between civil and security agencies.
Tourism and Fitness Boost for Border Regions
Officials said the ‘Niti Extreme Ultra Run’ is not only an endurance sports event but also a strategic initiative to promote sustainable tourism, local livelihoods, and physical fitness in the high-altitude border areas of Uttarakhand.
The initiative aligns with the broader vision of developing remote Himalayan villages into vibrant tourism and adventure sports hubs.
