KARGIL, JULY 30: Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan along with the Executive Councillor for Tourism and Zanskar Affairs Er Phunsog Tashi and Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC Kargil Baseer ul Haq Choudhary inaugurated 2-day Zanskar Tourism Festival at Padum here on Monday.
Councillor Cha Stanzin Lakpa, Councillor Karsha Stanzin Jigmet, SDM Zanskar Rakesh Sharma, CEO Zanskar Dev Authority Ghulam Mohiuddin Wani, AD Tourism Kargil Aga Syed Taha, AD Tourism Zanskar Tundup Namgyal, prominent citizens besides other district and sub-divisional officers were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the CEC said that the 2-day festival has been organized with the twin objective to preserve, revive and promote the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of Zanskar and to give boost to tourism in the area.
Feroz Khan said that the LAHDC Kargil is committed to the equitable development of all the areas of the district including Zanskar. He said that the coming up of new administrative units is a welcome step and constructive for people’s welfare and the LAHDC Kargil will take up the issue for grant of district status to Zanskar strongly at appropriate platforms.
The CEC further said that concrete steps would be taken to ensure connectivity to the area by regulating the maintenance works on NH 301 and streamlining the operation of helicopter services from the coming winter.
Earlier, during the welcome speech Executive Councillor for Zanskar Affairs Phunsog Tashi while welcoming the dignitaries and participants for their participation in the two-day cultural festival highlighted its aims and objectives.
The EC said that Zanskar on account of its glorious folk traditions, historical monasteries and its unparalleled natural beauty is a renowned place in the world and by organizing annual festivals of this sort effort is being made by the LAHDC Kargil to promote and preserve these rich traditions thus paving way to give boost to cultural tourism in the area.
Tashi also highlighted several issues and demands of the people and sought the intervention of the CEC and DC Kargil in this regard to project the issues at appropriate platforms.
Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC Kargil Baseer ul Haq Choudhary who also spoke on the occasion while highlighting steps being taken by the Administration for tourism promotion activities in the district including Zanskar urged people to extend their full cooperation for the successful conduct of such activities.
Meanwhile, various folk music and dance performances besides horse and yak race were organized during the first day of the festival. Various stalls on local handicrafts and handlooms and local ethnic food were also put up as a part of the festival celebrations.
The festival among other activities also includes thanka exhibitions at various monasteries like Stakrimo, Karsha, Stongday, Zonkul, Bardan, Phuktal and Guru Pipiting monastery.
The second day of the colourful festival is being held at Karsha.
