Excelsior Correspondent
DODA, Sept 9: Minister of State for Tourism and Education, Priya Sethi today said that the Government has decided to hold Winter Carnival at Bhaderwah to promote it as major tourist destination of the State.
“To boost tourist footfall Winter Carnival will be held here on the pattern of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Patnitop,” she announced after inaugurating two day Bhaderwah Tourism-cum-Cultural Festival.
MLA Bhaderwah Daleep Singh Parihar, DDC Doda Bhawani Rakwal, ADC Bhaderwah Imam Din, CEO BDA Bal Krishan, SDM Gandoh Dilmir Choudhary, ASP Bhaderwah Shahzad Salaria, ACD Doda Akhtar Hussian Qazi, various district and sectoral officers, prominent citizens, students of local educational institutions, tourists besides people from across the district were present at the inaugural ceremony.
Praising the natural beauty of Bhaderwah, the Minister said that it is also called as Chotta Kashmir and a large number of tourists have been diverted this year towards this unexplored heaven due to the efforts and initiatives taken up by the present Government.
“It is highly encouraging to note that the area has witnessed record tourist footfall of more than 4 lakh – the highest ever figure and is expected to go much beyond by the end of this year”, she added. She asked Tourism department to give wider publicity to the area to attract the tourists from across the country. She laid stress on better connectivity, tourism infrastructure and development of hospitality sector for boosting the tourism to benefit the local stakeholders.
Priya Sethi also assured the people that the area will be soon provided air connectivity on the pattern of other districts as the Aviation Ministry, is providing attractive incentives for regional air connectivity all over India. She directed the district administration to submit a comprehensive plan envisaging the requirements for starting the service.
She informed that the Government is also mulling to rope in private players through PPP mode to develop and strengthen hospitality sector and tap the huge tourism potential of Chenab region. “Special stress has been laid on promoting Chamba-Bhaderwah road as an alternate connectivity to the state as it will surely increase the tourist footfall in the region”, she added.
Later, the Minister visited Bhaderwah Fort complex and discussed with the concerned authorities the possibility to start light and sound show there.
A colorful and scintillating cultural programme depicting the culture and traditions of Jammu and Kashmir state in general and Bhaderwah in particular was main attraction of the event.
The performances include Bhaderwahi, Dogri, Kashmiri, Siraji, dances reflecting the cultural diversity of Chenab valley region. The popular folk dance of Bhaderwah known as Dhiku Dance was the highlight performance of the event.
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