Mega activities like Trekking, Bike Rally, Sports Activities, Dance & Singing, Promotion of local culture, Cuisine organised
KISHTWAR: The enchanting district Kishtwar came alive with vibrant festivities at the inauguration of “Singpora FoxGlove Festival” here at Singhpora Chatroo.
The festival organised by the District Administration in collaboration with the Directorate of Tourism Jammu, Marwah Forest Division, Excise & Taxation Department, Development Authority, Indian Army and NHIDC, witnessed an overwhelming response with the participation of around 2500 visitors.
The festival showcased a wide-array of activities aimed at celebrating the local culture and natural beauty of the region.
The event included thrilling activities like Trekking, Bike Rally, Sports Activities, Dance & Singing performances, and the promotion of local cuisine, all contributing to the joyous ambiance.
The event was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Dr. Devansh Yadav in presence of ACR, Varunjeet Singh Charak; PO ICDS/ CEO KDA, Dr. Rishi Sharma; SDM Chatroo, Shokat Hayat Mattoo; DFO Marwah, Vijay Kumar; Tehsildar Chatroo, Suman Ji Sharma; Tehsildar Mughalmaidan Nayeem Iqbal Sheikh; Tehsildar HQ, Chander Shekhar Sharma; AD FCS&CA Shafqat Keen; XEN R&B Chatroo, Irfan Banday; BDO Inderwal, Tasleem Wani; BDO Mughalmaidan Dheeraj Bahadur; SHO Chatroo, Parvaiz Ahmed Khandey, Major Bhuban Thappa, PRIs, among other District Sectoral Officers.
The festivities commenced with a group of trekkers embarking on a one-hour trek from picturesque Singhpora Tunnel point to Marh, which was flagged off by the Deputy Commissioner.
The DC himself along with other Officers participated in the trek. The scenic beauty and lush forest area along the route was highly appreciated, making it an ideal track for trekking enthusiasts.
In addition to the trekking expedition, a thrilling bike rally from TRC to Singhpora was organized, receiving accolades from the participants and onlookers alike. Health camp was also organised by the AYUSH Department Kishtwar.
To promote sports and a healthy lifestyle, a Volleyball Match was organized by 11R, which was inaugurated by the Deputy Commissioner himself. He encouraged the youth to actively participate in sports activities to maintain their fitness and well-being.
The festival was further graced by the enchanting performances of local singers and artists like Shoaib kandoo, Moin Raja, Bilal ahmed malik, Owais butt, Istiyaq hussain, Shahid Hussain, Gojri Song by Students of GHSS Chatroo, Maroofa Wani and party besides Dancers like Tavishi Anand, Tvisha Mahajan, Mehvish Akhtar, Folk dance by Shanti Institute of education, Inderwal who mesmerized the audience with their melodious voices and captivating dance moves. The cultural performances showcased the rich heritage and artistic brilliance of the region.
One of the highlights of the festival was the delectable cuisine offered at stalls installed by local entrepreneurs, providing visitors with a taste of the region’s authentic flavors.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Commissioner emphasised the immense tourism potential of the region and urged the tourism department to organize more such events in the future.
He expressed confidence that such initiatives would help unveil the hidden marvels of Kishtwar, further elevating its position on the tourism map.
Speaking passionately about the significance of the festival, the SDM Chatroo explained that the “Singpora FoxGlove Festival” was dedicated to the flowering plant known as Foxglove (scientific name: Digitalis), found abundantly in the forests of Singhpora area. The vibrant blossoms of Foxglove added to the region’s already lush green forests, making it an ideal occasion to promote the picturesque Singhpora Valley.
He stated this event may uplift the socio economic conditions of the area as this area is having a major tourist potential and urged youth to come forward and promote this area so that business avenues may also be made available to them.
The maiden “Singpora FoxGlove Festival” not only celebrated the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Kishtwar but also provided a platform for fostering tourism and encouraging local talents.
The event’s success lays the foundation for future editions, promising to elevate Kishtwar’s prominence on the tourism map of Jammu & Kashmir.
The whole programme was co-ordinated by Avni Sen.