*Secretary Tourism makes announcements to empower youth
Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR, Sept 24: The two-day Warwan Festival, nestled in the picturesque Kavyard region of Warwan Tehsil within Kishtwar district, culminated with an exhilarating fusion of cultural and adventure activities. This grand spectacle was impeccably orchestrated by the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu, in collaboration with the District Administration Kishtwar and the J&K Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages.
Drawing an impressive assembly of over 10,000 tourists and adventure aficionados over the span of two days, the festival was inaugurated by Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary Tourism & Culture Departments. He was accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Dr. Devansh Yadav, and Joint Director of Tourism, Sunaina Sharma Mehta.
The festival offered a wide array of activities, ranging from serene yoga sessions to heart-pounding marathon races, from graceful horseback rides to captivating live painting exhibitions. Adventure enthusiasts reveled in enthralling activities such as trekking through scenic landscapes, joining spirited bike rallies, and embarking on angling expeditions. Nature enthusiasts indulged in leisurely nature walks and stargazing sessions.
Sports enthusiasts engaged in sports activities like volleyball, kho kho, and tug-of-war. For those seeking an adrenaline rush, the festival featured exhilarating river rafting adventures for the forest time ever in those picturesque location . The entertainment quotient was elevated by captivating live musical performances by a lineup of exceptionally talented artists, including Kabul Bukhari, Naseem Ul Haq, Zulaikha Fareed, and several renowned local luminaries.
The Warwan Festival will now firmly etch its place within national tourism circuits, cementing its status as a significant cultural and adventure extravaganza on the annual calendar.
During his address, Secretary Tourism Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed expressed the commitment to develop the region as a tourism hub. He announced the establishment of Yuva Tourism Club in Warwan, an initiative set to ignite the spirit of youth towards tourism. Furthermore, he directed the officers of the Directorate of Tourism Jammu to provide the training to tourist guides and the registration of adventure tour operators from the Warwan Valley within the next month.
In addition, he committed to the registration of one hundred homestays in Warwan and the provision of skill development training to the local youth in collaboration with reputed national stakeholders. The exciting announcements included the imminent introduction of rafting and adventure activities in Warwan and the identification of three trekking routes to attract international trekkers, and the ambitious endeavor to place Warwan on the international tourism map.
Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Dr. Devansh Yadav, lauded the tireless efforts of the entire team of officers, the Tourism Department, and all stakeholders involved in the seamless execution of this magnificent event. He shared his optimism regarding the transformative potential of tourism in enhancing the livelihood opportunities for the residents of Warwan.
Sunaina Sharma Mehta, in her address, underscored the pivotal role of homestays in offering tourists an authentic experience of the local way of life by staying with warm local families. She emphasized the untapped potential of the Warwan Valley for adventure tourism, reaffirming the unwavering commitment of the Directorate of Tourism Jammu to its promotion.
The festival was graced by distinguished dignitaries, including SSP Kishtwar Khalil Ahmed Poswal, ADC Kishtwar Inderjeet Singh, CEO KDA Rishi Sharma, Deputy Director of Tourism Abdul Jabber, AD Tourism Arif Lone, SDM Marwah Dr. Mohsin Raza, SDM Chatroo Shokat Hayat Matoo, Tehsildar Kishtwar Muneeb Umar, DIO Kishtwar Dr. Kuldeep Kumar, and other esteemed officials from the Civil and Police administrations.
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