Promoting mountaineering: Italian professor’s services acknowledged
Professor Carlo Alberto Pinelli was conferred a Sitara-i-Imtiaz by President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday in recognition of his services for mountaineering in Pakistani Himalayas which span over five decades.
He has been arranging trainings to promote environmental mountaineering awareness and technical skills, and organising successful environmental expeditions such as Free K2, which in 1990 cleared the entire Abruzzi Spur of more than two tons of garbage left over by previous expeditions. The action introduced the idea of safeguarding mountains from environmental point of view.
Prof Pinelli himself did first ascents of some high peaks of the country in late 50s, 60s and 70s including that of Saraghrar Peak in the Hindu Kush.
He is leading all actions of Mountain Wilderness International in Asia in general and Pakistan in particular and promoting soft image of the country throughout the world and among different alpine clubs and environmental associations worldwide.
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“I am perfectly aware that I do not deserve such a prestigious award, but for exactly this reason, I am twice more happy to have received it by the hands of President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” Prof Pinelli said.
He said that for him the award has significance of a final seal, a witness of his constant and long lasting love for the country.
“It is meant for all my Pakistani friends who helped me attempt what finally I succeeded to achieve,” he mentioned.
He said that this award will give him strength to proceed in realisation of new plans to keep improving environmental awareness of foreign visitors, increase correct and responsible behaviour of everybody dealing with outdoor tourism and keep organising specific training courses for young people living in mountains to make them expert trekking leaders and mountaineering expedition helpers.
“Come to visit the mountains of Pakistan. Enjoy their beauty and fascination. Face their challenges. But then leave them unspoiled as God made them at the very beginning of time,” he said.
(Source: Express Tribune)
