Baramulla, Sep 20: The district administration of Baramulla organised a grand day-long summer festival in Ladu Ladoora Rafiabad to explore and promote tourism in the unexplored destinations of north Kashmir. The event saw a significant turnout, with enthusiastic participation from students and other community members from across the district.
To kick off the festivities, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Baramulla, Peerzada Mumtaz Ahmad extended a warm welcome to Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar, SSP Sopore Shabir Nawab, and other district officers, along with all the participants.
The DC Baramulla conducted an inspection of various stalls set up by different departments to showcase a wide range of information and services for the public. The festival featured colourful and captivating cultural performances that left the audience spellbound. The event garnered an overwhelming response, not only from locals but also from adventure enthusiasts.
Dr Sehrish while addressing the gathering said that Ladu Ladoora is emerging as a notable tourist destination in Baramulla. She pledged to take initiatives to promote the place as a renowned tourist spot which will create employment opportunities for local youth. She also underscored the importance of eco-tourism and its role in opening new economic avenues in Baramulla.
Reflecting on the administration’s efforts, the DC mentioned that 20 destinations have been identified for tourism, including border tourism, religious tourism, and heritage tourism. She encouraged people to explore the beauty of lesser-known places in the district such as Vijji Top, Mundajji, Rampur, Rajpur, Shranz, Drang, Qazinag National Park, as well as religious and heritage sites like Baba Fareed, Janbazwali, Makhdoom Sahib, Data Mandir, Chattipadshahi, and Meeras Mahal in Sopore.
To boost eco-tourism in Ladu Ladoora, the DC assured of the necessary infrastructure and facilities in the region. “Infrastructure development is being expedited through various government schemes, including road construction,” she said.
Highlighting the district administration’s initiatives, Dr Sehrish mentioned the launch of a website for tourists to submit online application forms for visits to Kamanpost in Uri, simplifying the permission process. The website will soon feature details of the 20 identified destinations.
The DC Baramulla said that Mundajji, which was introduced to the tourism map with a winter carnival in February 2023, is witnessing two to three thousand visitors on a daily basis. “These initiatives are expected to not only promote these places but also create new economic opportunities for local residents,” she added.
The locals, including prominent PRIs (Panchayati Raj Institutions), expressed their jubilation and commended the district administration for organising the first-ever summer festival in Ladu Ladoora Rafiabad.
In an earlier event, the DC Baramulla, in the presence of DDC member Rohama, laid the foundation stone for the Nature Park Ladua in Rafiabad. The DC emphasised the need for infrastructure upgrades to enhance eco-tourism in the region.
“Various initiatives are being undertaken to promote sustainable tourism and improve the socio-economic conditions of the local population. Let’s join hands to make this endeavour a grand success,” she said, adding that the massive participation of enthusiastic individuals at Ladu Ladoora in the festival organised by the district administration aims at boosting eco-tourism in the district.
Raja Sajad Hussain Khan, the driving force behind the area’s promotion, expressed gratitude to the district administration for organizing the summer festival in Ladua Rafiabad. He acknowledged years of hard work and collaboration with DC Baramulla Dr Sehrish Asgar, emphasising the positive impact this initiative will have on the local economy and employment opportunities for the youth. “Instead of engaging in social issues, the youth of the area will now benefit from this endeavour,” Sajad said.
