KUPWARA: The three-week-long Keran Mela 2026 concluded on Sunday in the border village of Keran in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, coinciding with World Tourism Day and featuring a range of sporting, cultural and public outreach activities.
Organised jointly by the district administration, the Indian Army and the Tourism Department, the mela brought together local residents, youth and visitors through sports competitions, cultural performances and awareness programmes.
Events included cricket, volleyball, Gatka, athletics, a 200-metre race and tug-of-war competitions, while traditional dance, music and other cultural performances highlighted the region’s heritage.
Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Shrikant Suse said Keran had significant potential for sustainable tourism and stressed the need to preserve its environment, cultural heritage and border identity. He said initiatives such as the mela complemented the objectives of the Vibrant Villages Programme, under which border villages are being developed through improved infrastructure, connectivity and tourism-related facilities.
According to officials, the administration plans to continue supporting programmes aimed at promoting responsible tourism and creating livelihood opportunities for local youth.
Suse also announced that a dedicated check point would be established at the entry to Keran under the “Green Keran, Clean Keran” campaign to discourage the use of single-use plastic and improve waste management in the area.
Addressing the gathering, Major General Rakesh Nair said such events helped preserve local culture while bringing government services and welfare initiatives closer to people living in remote areas.
The mela also featured stalls offering medical screening, career counselling, tourism information and drug de-addiction awareness. Local handicrafts, organic agricultural products, homestays and eateries were showcased as part of efforts to promote the area’s tourism and economic potential.
The closing ceremony included distribution of prizes to winners of various competitions and certificates of appreciation to participants and contributors.
Senior officers from the civil administration, police and the Indian Army attended the event, which drew a large gathering of residents and visitors.