15-day Ladakh Festival inaugurated
Leh (Ladakh), Jammu & Kashmir, September 1 – Calling upon the people to maintain cultural hospitality with the tourists, Minister for Tourism, Jammu & Kashmir, Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora said that tourists have contributed a lot to the economic growth of Ladakh region. The Minister was addressing a mammoth gathering at Leh Polo-ground after inaugurating the fort-night long Ladakh festival today.
The Minister said the main purpose of such festival is to support further promotion of tourism in the region. During the fifteen days festival, typical and vivid traditional culture shows like mask dances, Thangka display, archery competition, River rafting, double humped Camel Riding, Horse Polo etc will be displayed to boost tourism and to share with people about the unique culture and traditions of Ladakh.
The Chief Executive Councilor, LAHDC, Leh Mr. Rigzin Spalbar, Executive Councilor, Tourism Gurmet Dorjey, Executive Councilor Agriculture Sonam Dorjey, Councilors of Leh Hill Councilor, Deputy Commissioner Leh Tsering Angchok, heads of various political, religious and social organizations, district officers and larger number of foreign tourists and local audiences attended the inaugural function.
Extending gratitude to the foreign as well as domestic tourists for visiting Ladakh, The Minister asked them to fully involve and enjoy the cultural, spiritual and adventure experience of Ladakh. He expressed pleasure that Ladakhis have so far managed the visiting tourists amicably; adding that it was the reason that today Ladakh has huge influx of tourists.
Referring to the last devastating flash flood that has claimed hundreds of human lives and public properties, the Minister appreciated the people of Ladakh for quickly coming out of the natural catastrophe. He appealed the people to maintain same zeal along with the tradition of mutual cooperation. He also appreciated the Hill Development Council and district administration for carrying out the task of restoration and reconstruction of Leh efficiently and effectively.
The Chief Executive Councilor, Rigzin Spalbar also extended heartiest gratitude to the foreign and domestic tourists for attending the Ladakh festival and urged them for taking fullest advantage of the festival by taking glimpses of rich culture and traditions of Ladakh. He said Ladakh was first open to foreigners in 1970s and since then tourists played a good role in boosting the local economic condition.
Highlighting the record arrival of tourists this year in Leh, Chief Executive Councilor said that by 15th August, as many as 1,41,000 tourists already arrived and the main challenges ahead of Leh was to regulate the eco-system and to create adequate tourist infrastructure matching the uniqueness of this region. He said that Hill Council has already initiated measures for opening new trekking routes and preservation of important tourist spots in Ladakh, adding that LAHDC would concentrate on percolating every possible benefit of tourists up to the grass root level.
Earlier the Executive councillor Tourism Mr. Gurmet Dorjey welcomed the tourists and participants in Ladakh festival. He highlighted the main objectives of the festival and appreciated the people for handing the tourist in good manner. A vivid culture programme were also shown on the occasion and one of the main attraction was the skit presented by the Nomadic children from Puga Valley residential school in changthang region which was awarded a cash reward of fifty thousand Rupees by the Tourism Minister. Later, the Minister Tourism, Jammu & Kashmir released a postal stamp on Shanti Stupa.
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