Excelsior Sports Correspondent
DODA, Feb 18: A 3 day Snow Skiing Festival took off at picturesque Jai Valley for the first time in 10 years, here on today amid strict adherence to Covid protocol.
The event, organised by District Administration Doda in coordination with BDA, Indian army and Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering, forms part of measures being taken by the stakeholders to tap huge tourism potential and attract major tourists footfall to the district.
The Festival was inaugurated by the chief guest Chairman District Development Council Doda, Dhananter Singh Kotwal in presence of guest of honour Deputy Commissioner Vikas Sharma and SSP Doda Abdul Qayoom.
Speaking on the occasion, the DDC Chairman said that the Snow Skiing event has been hosted at such a grand scale for the first time after a decade to boost the tourism potential of the district, especially in the Bhaderwah area.
He also said that such events will not only amuse the locals and tourists who come from all over the district, but will also provide employment opportunities to the unemployed youth of the area in the coming days.
While addressing the gathering, the DC said that the initiative has been taken under the guidance of the MP and Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh under Sansad Khel Spardha and assured to organise more activities in the coming days to project the district as a tourist destination of national repute. He said the J&K LG is committed to boost tourism and build tourism infrastructure across the UT.
The main attractions of the day were cultural programmes, traditional sword and stick dance performed by tribal community, zorbing ball, skiing, sledging, snow roping, baloon shooting, folk dance, Kud dance, Ladakhi dance, besides stalls of food items were also put up for the convenience of the visitors.
Among others present at the inaugural ceremony were CO 4RR, CEO BDA, ADC Bhaderwah,Conservator Forest, SDM Thathri, DFO Bhaderwah, Tehsildar Bhaderwah, SDPO Bhaderwah, besides representatives of Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering.
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