SRINAGAR: The much-anticipated Gurez festival, initially set to commence on August 07, has been deferred and is now scheduled to take place after August 15, officials announced on Monday.
Gurez Valley, located in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, is anticipated to host this major festival, aimed at promoting the destination as a prime tourist spot and showcasing its rich heritage and culture.
Officials said that the opening ceremony of the festival, which was originally scheduled for August 07, will now be held at a later date due to unfavourable weather conditions and the upcoming weather forecast. “The event will now take place after August 15,” a top official said.
The festival is expected to give a significant boost to the tourism sector in the region by featuring a variety of activities, including polo matches, traditional folk dance performances, and other adventures like camping, trekking, angling, and water sports.
Officials said the administration is actively promoting Gurez Valley and enhancing its infrastructure to attract more tourists, thereby generating livelihood opportunities for the local population.
Notably, tourism in Gurez and other border areas of Jammu and Kashmir has gained momentum since the ceasefire agreement, with residents along the border advocating for tourism trade.
Expressing happiness over the initiatives taken by the tourism department and the district administration, locals said the events will boost their economy and give a push to Gurez’s tourism sector.
“These initiatives will not only boost our economy but also give tourism a significant push. The authorities need to focus on promoting our local culture,” said a local, Aijaz Ahmed.
He commended the administration for their efforts in maintaining the ecological balance by setting up tents, preventing people from setting up their own and disposing of waste in water bodies.
Pertinently, following an increase in the number of tourists visiting Gurez Valley, the administration established tent colonies equipped with modern facilities. These tent accommodations, strategically located in scenic spots, offer amenities such as washrooms and kitchen facilities.(KNO)