Asians and the great outdoors (From Asian Image)

Asians and the great outdoors

6:44pm Monday 7th December 2009

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“I’m asking, why do you want us to come here and why do you care?”

Intent brown eyes, full of scrutiny and expectation are fixed in a stare as inquisitor Ahmed Nakhuda probes for answers.

But he has them. “Actually,” proclaims the Lake District champion, who wants to go back to his Asian community in Preston and ‘sell’ the national park to peers, “I know you care deeply. What you are doing for us is far greater than anything we can ever give you.”

Ahmed and nine other potential ambassadors – including his sister Khadija – have amassed in Ambleside.

The question is, are they interested in joining the government backed Campaign for National Parks to roll out England’s iconic landscapes to ethnic groups?

Although around nine per cent of the population are from a cultural minority, they make up only one per cent of national park visitors. In July, Antarctic adventurer Ben Fogle launched Mosaic, linking 20 cities with the country’s nine national parks.

Once signed up, 200 champions nationwide will work closely with their nearest national park.

The goal is to encourage an additional 4,000 ethnic visitors, ultimately reaching around 40,000 people.

The Lake District is developing contacts with Lancaster, Blackburn, Preston and Manchester. But why do black and ethnic minorities shy away from an iconic area and potential World Heritage site?

Is the countryside too daunting, too unfamiliar, too unwelcoming to contemplate? Do they face prejudice, resentment, even fear? Did the discovery of terrorist training camps in the Lake District do irreparable damage to race relations?

Natural environment minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, said Mosaic was not just about breaking down barriers, but forging lasting links with minority communities and under-represented people.

Ahmed Nakhuda, who employs 10 in his Preston delivery business, says he’s British down to his boots, that Blighty is home, and the Lake District has long held his heart.

“I’ve been coming here for years and never met a scrap of resentment or intolerance. OK, if you’re a group of Asians, you’ll get stares, but any minority, whatever its status, would attract attention.”

“Asians don’t come here to enjoy the great outdoors because it’s not part of their culture. Simple as that! And that’s what we have to change.”

His father, Mohammed, had definite ideas about how to bring up his family. His native Gujarat, in India, was light years from Preston. However, that was where his nine children would be brought up and they had to integrate, become part of their adoptive country.

All went to Catholic schools and from the start knew what it was like to taste adventure and not be afraid to be drawn out of their comfort zone.

“As a bus driver, dad discovered jewels like the Lake District and brought us up at weekends,” said Ahmed. “Our whole family – and friends and neighbours, once they heard about the excursions – would join us, sometimes as many as 50.

“Typically, this would involve finding a great place, sitting around chatting, eating samosas, bargees, chapattis, curries, all miraculously still warm after hours of careful preparation and wrapping. That’s great, but it’s not really discovering a world famous landscape.

“We went on walking holidays through school, got an understanding of what the great outdoors is all about. The miles, uphill struggles, getting to a fell top and devouring those vistas. Wow! That never leaves you.”

Ahmed says Mosaic has to succeed and that he is 100 per cent committed.

“I’ve been selling the Lake District in my own way for as long as I can remember. Recently, I took my nephews. I wanted to get them out of the urban jungle, give them chance to freshen-up.

“I wanted to show them something different, the oak trees, coppiced hedges, kissing gates; things you don’t get on a Preston Street. I got my dad, a diabetic with renal failure, up a hill in Buttermere. He looked like Moses on Sinai and the experience sticks with him.

“Nothing touches it. Whatever your background, or culture, everyone should find this freedom and sense of purpose. As a champion, if I can persuade just one person to know and love this place, it will be worthwhile. I can never really repay what the Lake District has given me; this is repaying a debt, a matter of honour.”

His sister, Khadija, who recently finished a history degree, said there were 300 people in their community, who they would be cajoling.

“Admiring God’s creation is, after all, part of our religion,” she added.

Within a year of discovering fell walking, Blackburn IT specialist, Rafiq Ahmed, had scaled Kilimanjaro. Along the way, he tempted friends to trek. Being a Mosaic champion would be a natural progression, he says.

“My first real peak was Pen-y-ghent, in the Yorkshire Dales. It was breathtaking. Gradually the walking group expanded, all professionals taking a break from stressful lives. We’d go out once a month, it was a real work/life balance and every time we went, we’d get more on board.

“By the time we did Scafell and Striding Edge, there were 20 of us. One had health issues, including a minor stroke. It has turned his life around and he’s lost six stones.”

“Why don’t more Asian people go walking?” I ask.

“Their first thought is, it’s cold and wet,” explained Rafiq. “Even going about their daily lives, whether it’s off to work or shopping, you hardly see an Asian walking. It will be a mammoth task to persuade them that the outdoors, and particularly the countryside, are rewarding and enjoyable. Like scaling peaks, it’s a challenge, and one I’m ready for.”

Manchester-based cancer diagnostic scientist, Dr Fredelina Yong, grew up with her Chinese parents in what she describes as a “poverty stricken council estate in Tottenham”.

“The only outdoors for me was hanging around the streets. Ten years ago, aged 22, quite by accident I joined my university’s climbing club. I was scared of heights and ‘froze’ on my first ever rock climb”

“But I got a head rush, like nothing I’ve ever had before, and kept going back again and again for more.”

Since then, she’s completed at least 300 climbs, succeeded in gruelling mountain marathons, adventure races, including 350 km Irish challenge, The Turas, competed in mountain biking endurance races, three London Marathons and is a passionate skier.

“The sense of freedom that only mountains can bring is huge. Once, during a mountain marathon, an Indian man said he had to say hello because I was the only other ethnic around. Suddenly he put up a barrier that wasn’t there before.

“In the hills, everyone smiles and gets on with whatever they’re doing. You are not judged by race. People in the mountains look beyond colour. I’m an equity volunteer with the British Mountaineering Council and feel passionate about the opportunities Mosaic will bring.

“Ethnic parents shield behind their children, but here is a real chance to reach out and introduce all ages to the outdoors. My parents are not really aware of the extent of my sporting achievements. Mum can’t believe someone so small can pull herself up a rock face!”

“I want to bring my love and enthusiasm for the outdoors to those who have not yet had the opportunity to experience it.”

Equality policy manager at Stockport Council, Steven Longden, thinks Mosaic can’t happen soon enough.

“Generally speaking, Asian, possibly like black people, are a little nervous moving around areas they are not familiar with and where theirs are the only non-white faces. People from black and minority ethnic backgrounds do get stared at.

“Having said that, Asian friends of my age are different and some are increasingly adventurous. I love organising trips to the Lakes for them.

“Anyone who has ever taken a national park virgin to the Lake District will understand the pleasure I get from watching their faces as they see Ennerdale, Wasdale, or Buttmemere for the first time.”

Steven said he was very proud to lead Asian friends on an Ennerdale sponsored walk which raised £4,400 for Black Sail Youth Hostel and Doctors Worldwide.

Married to Rozina Chaudrey - whose family originally came from pre-partition India - Steven said his own children had a lot of exposure to English, Asian and Islamic cultural influences and loved Lake District jaunts. While his in-laws wouldn’t thank him for a day trip to Wasdale Head, he’s confident there are plenty of captive audiences waiting in the wings.

“Encouraging people to sign up for my walks is a first step,” said Steven. “I intend to work with inner city groups in Manchester. It’s hard, but crucial. Ethnic minority UK residents are tax payers. They help fund national parks like everyone else. If they are not accessing them at the same rate as other people it’s important to ask why, and encourage them.”

Mosaic project officer Kabeer Bostan said the weekend gathering had been a vital get together and that the process of formally signing up champions had started.

“We were staggered by the commitment, enthusiasm and quality of people who wanted to join us. Mosaic will run for three years. There’s a lot to do in a relatively short time but the will to succeed is there.

Lake District National Park’s director of park services, Bob Cartwright, said: “We value this above rubies.

“National Parks - the clue is in the title, they’re parks for everyone. If we don’t attract people from all parts of society or worse, put up barriers that discourage communities appreciating these special places, we are not doing our job.

“Mosaic is producing young, passionate ambassadors, who we’re delighted to work with. With their help and enthusiasm we can encourage black and ethnic minority communities to share and enjoy the magic of the Lake District.”

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