Srinagar, September 14. The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India presently holding its 9th Annual Convention in Srinagar has conferred the Hall of Fame Award on Mohammad Ashraf, the former Director General of Tourism, J & K. The Award was given to him by His Excellency, the Governor of J & K during the valedictory function of the Convention held at the Sher-i-Kashmir Convention Centre, today afternoon. The Award had in fact been conferred on Mohammad Ashraf last January but he could not go to Bhopal where the 8th Convention was held due to personal engagements and it was announced in absentia. Now that the Association has come to Kashmir, they decided to present the award to him in person. This honour has been conferred on him for his efforts in developing adventure tourism in J & K especially for his role in setting up communication and rescue arrangements for adventure travellers in the Himalaya. Ashraf has had a long tenure of about 30 years in tourism and has been active in promoting tourism especially adventure tourism even after his retirement. He has been twice the Vice-President of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, the apex body of adventure in the country. He is also associated with the Himalayan Motor Sport Association which holds two car rallies in Kashmir- the Mughal Rally and the Raide de Himalaya. He has also been writing columns in local newspapers.