AHARBAL FESTIVAL

Grand Snow Festival held at Aharbal, Kulgam

Fest witnesses’ celebration of Tribal culture; multiple Snow sports events, scintillating cultural performances

Festival aimed to promote Winter tourism, Winter sports; provide enhanced economic avenues to people: Dr Bilal

KULGAM, FEBRUARY 17:CNS, In order to give fillip to the Winter tourism potential of Aharbal, promote tribal culture and to increase tourist footfall especially in winters, the District Administration Kulgam in collaboration with Aharbal Development Authority, RDD, YS&S, Tourism and Forest Division Kulgam today organised a daylong Winter Carnival, here.

The Winter Carnival was today jointly inaugurated by Chairperson, District Development Council (DDC) Kulgam, M Afzal Parrey; Deputy Inspector General (DIG), South, Rayees Mohammad Bhat; Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Dr.Bilal Mohi-Ud-din Bhat at Aharbal Tourist destination by flagging-off two groups of 60 trekkers to Chiranbal and Sangam.

During the festival, multifarious activities and events were carried out which included Snow cricket, Snow run, Snow Rugby, Tug of war, Snow Volleyball, Skiing and other Snow games.

Multiple stalls were installed by various departments including Agriculture, Horticulture, Tourism, Handicrafts, Fisheries, Employment, NRLM and other departments for showcasing government schemes and programmes.

A stall housing articles and artifacts depicting local tradition and culture were also displayed which attracted immense public response.

Scintillating cultural performances especially performances on tribal culture were also presented by local artists and school children which mesmerized the audience and guests present.

Addressing the mammoth gathering, DDC Chairperson Mohd Afzal Parrey appreciated efforts of District Administration for organising the festivals to promote virgin lands in the district for larger public benefit.

Stressing on tapping the potential of virgin destinations, the DIG South said that potential of this and other offbeat destinations needs to be harnessed optimally for better economic avenues.

He also highlighted the role of the media for promotion of these destinations to attract tourists.

Earlier, addressing the public DC Kulgam said that Aharbal and other tourism destinations in Kulgam have huge potential to attract tourists and the Winter Carnival is an initiative to promote winter tourism activities in unexplored scenic places, destinations of the district and to boost the tourism sector in Kulgam.

The DC further added that organising Winter Festivals is also aimed at changing perception of people for winter tourism and to engage youth towards winter sports.

Promotion of tourism is linked to enhanced employment generation and besides, engaging youth in sports activities will prevent them from falling into the trap of drug menace which has victimized youth badly, added Dr.Bilal.

Later, a calendar of District Administration and a booklet prepared by Forest Division Kulgam titled 'Nature is Calling', containing information about various tourist destinations of the district was released.

The picturesque area hosts breathtaking spots ranging from famous Waterfalls, to mesmerizing views of Gurwattan and Sangam and the Expansive meadows of Kungwattan, gushing waters of turbulent Vishaw besides the fascinating Upstream Alpine Lake, Kousarnag, which is a trekker's Paradise, and Mahinag.

They offer vast adventure tourism avenues, trekking, sight viewing, camping and are famous for picnicking and leisure activities.

Besides general public, adventurists, participating sportspersons, students, the event was also attended by SSP Kulgam, Sahil Sarangal; ADC, Viqar Ahmad Giri; SDM Noorabad, Bashir Ul Hassan; ACR, Mir Imtiyaz besides local people and officers from Civil and Police administration.(CNS)