Calls for effective coordination between Tourism
Deptt, private stakeholders
KARGIL, NOVEMBER 21: Chairman
and Chief Executive Councillor, Kargil Kacho Ahmad Ali Khan inaugurated the
2-day Kargil-Ladakh Tourism Festival 2017 at Khree Sultan
Chow Sports Stadium Bemathang here
today.
The two-day event features multi-ethnic traditional
music and dance performances by the folk artists of different ethnic groups of
the region including Purgi, Balti, Shina, Dardi besides several matches of
traditional horse polo and archery, stalls of local art and craft and ethnic
food besides theatre performances based on the traditional values and way of
life.
While inaugurating the event, Kacho appealed to the
public to come and visit the festival and understand the richness of the local
culture and heritage. The CEC said that development of tourism is among the
priorities of the Council, and it is fully committed to develop this sector in
the district on modern lines.
He said that focus is being laid to hold
promotional events in different states of the country this winter, so as to
promote Kargil as a major tourist destination.
Praising the scenic beauty and the multi-ethnic
culture of Kargil, the CEC said that over the last few years a large number of
tourists have been diverted towards this unexplored dreamland due to the
efforts and initiatives taken up by the present government. He said that a
number of incentive schemes are in place to encourage the private stakeholders
while as due impetus is being given to raise necessary tourism infrastructure
in the district.
Kacho exhorted upon the Tourism Department to
further intensify its publicity and promotional activities so as to attract a
maximum number of tourists from across the country to the area. He said that
thrust needs to be given to better connectivity, tourism infrastructure and
development of hospitality sector for boosting the tourism to benefit of local
stakeholders.
Earlier, the CEC went round the ethnic food and
local handicraft stalls and appreciated the concerned Departments, women SHGs
and other agencies for having put up a spectacular show.
A colourful and scintillating cultural programme
depicting the culture and traditions of Kargil was the main attraction of the
event on the inaugural day today. The performances included Balti song and
dance, Purgi folk music and dance, Jabro dance, Shondrol, Manthana, marriage
song, Shina/ Dardi music and dance performance by the artists of the Aryan
valleys of DarchiksGarkone and Drass reflecting the cultural diversity of the
region besides several other colourful performances.
Expressing optimism about the future of tourism
industry in the district, Kacho said that effective coordination between the
government and private players was imperative for the multifarious development
of tourism and allied sectors and the district has great days ahead.
Underlining the tourism potential in the district,
the CEC impressed upon the people particularly the unemployed youth of the area
to build paying guest houses, hotels, restaurants and related infrastructure
with advanced facilities so that adequate accommodation besides other related
facilities could be made available to the visiting tourists.
Referring to round-the-year road connectivity of
Kargil with different parts of the Country, Kacho expressed hope that the
construction of Zojila tunnel would help in giving a fillip to tourism in the
region. The completion of the tunnel, on the one hand, will play an
instrumental role in paving way for round-the-year connectivity to the tourists
besides locally made products and other items will get huge exposure in other
parts of the Country, Kacho said.
Executive Councillor for Education, Advocate Muhammad
Amir, Executive Councillor for Agriculture, Muhammad Hussain, Senior
Superintendent of Police Kargil, Tsering Gyalpo, AD Tourism Kargil, Aga Syed
Toha, senior Civil, Police and Army officers, school children and a large
number of people witnessed the colourful festival.
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