Kolkata cyclist to pedal through Kashmir to reach Sri Lanka

Srinagar, Nov 13: Kolkata based cyclist, Samrat Moulik is going on a solo cycling expedition from Ladakh to Sri Lanka to spread awareness about rivers.

Moulik who started his journey from Ladakh reached Srinagar on November 12 where from he will carry on his expedition to other states. His journey is being sponsored by the National Insurance Company (NIC), Kolkata.

“I have to cover a distance of 5500 km starting from Ladakh to Sri Lanka. My journey will be through Punjab,Haryana, New Delhi, UP,MP,Maharashtra,Goa, Karnataka, Kerala,Tamil Nadu and his final destination in India will be Kanyakumari,” Samrat Moulik told The Kashmir Monitor in Srinagar.

He said that he will again start his journey from northern most part of Sri Lanka.” After Kanyakumari , my journey will again start in Sri Lanka’s -Point Pedro Dondra Point.”

Samrat will be noticing the condition of rivers and water bodies that comes in his way.

“I will be documenting the condition of 113 water bodies that comes in the distance of 5500 km and create a social massage for conservation of rivers,” he said.

Samrat told The Kashmir Monitor, “The condition of Dal Lake is worst from inside. I have visited the interior side of the lake which is horrible.”

He said that the waste which is directly discharged in the Lake must be stopped or filtered before going in the water bodies as condition of water bodies here is not so good.

“This is the responsibility of the locals also to preserve their water bodies.”

Meanwhile, he said that his journey in Kashmir till now was warmly welcomed by the people and also by NIC.“Kashmir is the safest place I ever visited. People of Kashmir are pure,” said Samrat.