Thousands of people participate in Wullar Festival

Artists performing during Wullar Festival.
Artists performing during Wullar Festival.

Excelsior Correspondent

BANDIPORA, Aug 31: To promote Wullar as prime tourist destination in the Valley, Bandipora Administration in collaboration with Wullar battalion of Army, Tourism Department and WUCMA organised Wullar Festival on the banks of Wullar Lake at Wullar Vantage Park Garoora which witnessed much fanfare.

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Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P. K Pole was the chief guest on the occasion.
The event was attended by Chairman District Development Council Ab Gani Bhat, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Dr. Owais Ahmed, Vice Chairperson Kounser Shafeeq, Chief Executive Director Wular Conservation and Management Authority T Rabi Kumar , SSP Bandipora Mohammad Zahid, ADDC Ali Afsar Khan, ADC Waseem Raja ,DPO Mohd. Ashraf Hakak, Faisal Ali Dar (Padma Shri Awardee) Commanding Officer 26 Asaam Rifles, Commanding Officers of several other Army Units, DDC/BDC Members, Sectoral and district officers, other public representatives besides large gathering of people from different walks of life.
Various cultural and musical items were presented by different bands and groups who received huge applause by the audience. The folk tribal songs and touching patriotic numbers left the audience spellbound. The martial art demonstration by students of Ali’s Sports Academy was also an eye catching activity for audience.
Addressing the gathering, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P. K Pole said the aim of organising the Wullar Festival was to promote Wullar as prime tourist destination besides providing a platform to local artists to showcase their talent.
He said such festivals shall attract more tourists and and help in upliftment of socio-economic status of people of the district.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman District Development Council Ab Gani, appreciated the efforts of district administration for tourism promotion across the district. He said prmotion of wullar as tourist destination will help in generating more employment avenues for youth.
DC Bandipora Dr. Owais Ahmed said that Wullar festival was aimed to promote sustainable tourism of the World renowned Lake,which is also a Ramsar Site protected water body for the economic upliftment of the people involved and to create awareness about Lake’s ecological Richness and need for conservation of this Natural Resource.
During the festival, Birding event was organised by Wular Conservation and Management Authority at Zurimanz area of Bandipora in which school children were taken for Bird watching.The children were given insights to use of Birding equipment and bird guides.
In the photography competition “Shades of Wullar” Shouib Masoodi, a senior journalist of Bandipora bagged the first position.