Along with a group of 12 environmental journalists and activists, I am planning a 20 mile, 2-day mountain hike up to about 10,000 feet above sea level, from Jehlum Valley to Seemari lower Neelum Valley. This hike is part of Conciliation Resources’ Steps to Peace initiative to raise funds and awareness of critical peacebuilding work. This area is very near to the Line of Control, and is an area where the community have experienced heavy artillery. 

We are a group of environmental journalists and peace activists who work directly in a conflict zone and face the challenges of survival during artillery shelling, as well as loss of lives and assets.

Since 2015, we have been working on a community based eco-tourism project near the Line of Control, with participation of local communities who have been affected by firing across the Line of Control in the lower Neelam Valley.

We will walk the whole day from Peerchnasi or Pathialy and stay at Nagan, after camping for a night, we will walk towards Seemari Valley and after a day of walking, we will reach the finish point of Seemari,

We are taking part in this challenge as environmental and peace activists, to raise awareness of our work and peacebuilding in the area. During the walk we will distribute flyers to the Nomad’s Local Farmers villages to spread awareness of environmental issues and climate change challenges, as well as safety in regard to mines, clusters and toy bombs.

Some of the team:

MA Urfi team leader Journalist (Geo News)

Ameer ud Din Mughal Photojournalist (Reuters)

Asif Raza Mir Journalist (Express News)

Naveed Mir Community leader peace activist

Zafran Mir activist.

Sajjad Mir Photojournalist (AFP)

Nadeem Shah Journalist 

All money raised through Steps to Peace will be going to Conciliation Resources’ Peacebuilding Response Fund to provide flexible funding for peacebuilders to adapt when crisis strikes.