As part of promoting lesser known destinations across Kashmir, Tourism Department in collaboration with District Administration Kupwara today organized first ever Lolab Festival at Chandigam which was attended by a galaxy of participants from different walks of life.The objective of the festival was to bring the virgin and hidden tourist places of Lolab valley to the limelight.The festival was organised by the Department as part of instructions by the LG administration to promote the so far hidden and lesser known destinations to the limelight and tourist footfall.Speaking on the occasion, Director Tourism Kashmir, Dr. G N Itoo said that the Tourism Department has identified 75 places across J&K UT which have not been exploited for tourism potential yet adding that Lolab valley is also in those places which have not been explored yet. He said that the department is organizing tourism festivals in all such places in coming days beginning with Lolab today. He said that the aim of organizing Lolab festival was to provide a platform for boosting local culture and agriculture varieties so that people across the globe could know what is offered here.In his welcome address, the Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, Imam Din hoped that the festival, first of its kind in the Lolab valley will go a long way in promotion of tourism potential of the virgin valley Lolab. He welcomed all the guests who came in the festival including the PRIs and general people.
The dignitaries inspected stalls installed by various departments including Tourism Department, Agriculture, Horticulture, Sheep, Animal Husbandry, CAPD, KVIB, Apiculture, Floriculture and Handicrafts. The stall organizers gave awareness to the participants about various welfare and development schemes initiated by the Government from time to time.The dignitaries also planted pine saplings in the compound of Chandigam TRC.At the beginning of the programme, a colourful Kashmiri rouf was presented before the audience.Earlier, Director Tourism and Deputy Commissioner, Imam Din flagged off a marathon organized by Youth Services & Sports department from Chandigam in which NYCs and Rehbar-e-Khel volunteers participated.Later, the dignitaries felicitated the students of Kupwara district with mementos who have registered brilliant performance in recent NEET Examination. Top 2 marathon winners were also felicitated.The one day Lolab Festival which saw a participation of large number of people who got enthralled by the attractive and fascinating varied cultural programmes.Vice Chairman DDC, Haji Farooq Ahmad Mir; Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Imam Din; Director Tourism, G. N. Itoo, ADC Kupwara, Ghulam Nabi; SDM Lolab, Aijaz Ahmad; Deputy Director, Tourism, Dr. Ahsanul Haq Chishti, DDC Member Sogam, Nasir Nazir, Officers from Civil Administration, besides, PRIs and large number of people participated in the day long festival.