Cultural events to boost tourism in Kashmir's Golden Meadows

Sonamarg, June 11 (UNI) Famous Kashmiri songs and dances enthralled the audience at a colourful cultural programme organised to promote tourism at this picturesque destination here.

The event was jointly organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Cultural Academy and the Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA).

About 25 artists entertained both the Amarnath-bound pilgrims and the tourists besides the locals.

The entire audience was on its feet when Hasina Akhtar sung the famous ''Boombro Boombro'' and few ghazals. Another singer, Abdul Rashid Farash, also enthralled those present with his performance.

The tourists appreciated the efforts of the state government in organising such events to promote tourism at Sonamarg also known as 'Golden Meadows' for its breathtaking beauty, high altitude lakes, fascinating landscapes, sparkling glaciers, mighty mountains and majestic river Sindh (Indus).

Speaking on the occasion, Cultural Academy Secretary Rafiq Masoodi said the department has been promoting cultural tourism at various resorts in Kashmir during the past two months.

He said the Academy in collaboration with the SDA will soon host a seven-day cultural event here.

SDA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nazir Ahmed Mir said they have taken several steps to promote adventure tourism at Sonamarg.

In this connection, the first-ever summer snow skiing event was held on May one, followed by first-ever paragliding and zorbing events in addition to white water rafting held here from June there which would continue for a period of two months, he added.

''Such activities attract more and more tourists and provide added attraction and recreation to the visitors at Sonamarg. These are also a source of income for the unemployed youth in the area,'' Mr Mir said.

He said the SDA will organise the first-ever state-level white water rafting championship at Sonamarg in July.

A training course was also being organised by the SDA to train the local unemployed youth as guides for paragliding, zorbing and white water rafting, the CEO added.

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