The recently concluded two-day Warwan Festival, nestled in the scenic Kavyard region of Warwan Tehsil within Kishtwar district, left an indelible mark on the landscape of cultural and adventure events in the region. This grand spectacle, orchestrated seamlessly by the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu, in collaboration with the District Administration Kishtwar and the J&K Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages, drew an impressive assembly of thousands of tourists and adventure enthusiasts.
The festival was inaugurated by Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary of the Tourism & Culture Departments, who was joined by Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Dr. Devansh Yadav, and Joint Director of Tourism, Sunaina Sharma Mehta.
The Warwan Festival offered a diverse range of activities that catered to a wide audience. From serene yoga sessions to heart-pounding marathon races, graceful horseback rides to captivating live painting exhibitions, and enthralling adventure activities such as trekking through scenic landscapes, spirited bike rallies, and angling expeditions, there was something for everyone. Sports enthusiasts engaged in activities like volleyball, kho kho, and tug-of-war, while adrenaline junkies had the opportunity to experience river rafting adventures for the first time in this picturesque location.
Entertainment was in abundance with captivating live musical performances by exceptionally talented artists, including Kabul Bukhari, Naseem Ul Haq, Zulaikha Fareed, and several renowned local luminaries.
The Warwan Festival has now firmly etched its place within national tourism circuits, solidifying its status as a significant cultural and adventure extravaganza on the annual calendar.
During his address, Secretary Tourism Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed expressed his commitment to developing the region as a tourism hub. He announced the establishment of the Yuva Tourism Club in Warwan, aimed at igniting the spirit of youth towards tourism. He also directed the Directorate of Tourism Jammu to provide training to tourist guides and register adventure tour operators from the Warwan Valley within the next month. Additionally, he committed to registering one hundred homestays in Warwan and providing skill development training to local youth in collaboration with reputed national stakeholders. Exciting announcements included the imminent introduction of rafting and adventure activities in Warwan, the identification of three trekking routes to attract international trekkers, and the ambitious endeavor to place Warwan on the international tourism map.
Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Dr. Devansh Yadav, praised the tireless efforts of the entire team of officers, the Tourism Department, and all stakeholders involved in the seamless execution of this magnificent event. He shared his optimism regarding the transformative potential of tourism in enhancing livelihood opportunities for the residents of Warwan.
Sunaina Sharma Mehta, in her address, emphasized the pivotal role of homestays in offering tourists an authentic experience of the local way of life by staying with warm local families. She underscored the untapped potential of the Warwan Valley for adventure tourism, reaffirming the unwavering commitment of the Directorate of Tourism Jammu to its promotion.
The festival was graced by distinguished dignitaries, including SSP Kishtwar Khalil Ahmed Poswal, ADC Kishtwar Inderjeet Singh, CEO KDA Rishi Sharma, Deputy Director of Tourism Abdul Jabber, AD Tourism Arif Lone, SDM Marwah Dr. Mohsin Raza, SDM Chatroo Shokat Hayat Matoo, Tehsildar Kishtwar Muneeb Umar, DIO Kishtwar Dr. Kuldeep Kumar, and other esteemed officials from the Civil and Police administrations.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
