KARGIL, FEBRUARY 21, 2021: Host of activities were held in Kargil today in connection with the 2nd edition of the Ladakh Winter Conclave, 2021 which is being held simultaneously in Leh and Kargil districts.

Followed by a grand traditional welcome, cultural programmes and visit of the world famous Maitrya Buddha statue at Mulbekh last evening, archery exhibition matches were held for the conclave guests from across the country at Ice Hockey Rink Goshan today.

Executive Councillor for Tourism Er Phunsok Tashi along with the officers of Tourism Department Ladakh, Ladakh Academy of Art, Culture and  Languages, Kargil, Youth Services and Sports Department, representatives of All Kargil Travel Trade Association (AKTTA), Ladakh Adventure Sports, representative of Hoteliers Association, besides other concerned officers extended warm welcome to the guests at Drass.

* Click to Follow Voice of Ladakh on WhatsApp *

EC Tourism Er Phunsog Tashi who was also the chief guest on the occasion, in his address said the holding of events like Ladakh Winter Carnival will go a long way in realizing the full potential of winter tourism in Kargil particularly Drass which has immense potential for winter related activities including winter games like Ice Hockey, Snow Skiing and Ice Skating on account of its extreme cold winter.

EC Tashi also extended his heartfelt gratitude to the UT Administration Ladakh particularly Commissioner Secretary Tourism Rigzian Sampheal to have conceptualized the idea of a winter tourism carnival which he stated will help to enhance tourism in Ladakh in winters as well besides the usual tourist season.

The EC Tourism stated that events of tourism promotion in the twin districts of Leh and Kargil have got a new fillip after the formation of Ladakh as a UT and the annual Ladakh Winter Carnival is one such step in this regard. He said that Kargil has immense potential as a tourist destination on account of its multiethnic culture and famous tourist sites in all parts of the district.

Underlining the need to explore and promote this potential in its real sense to the outside world, the EC Tourism stated that the perception of Kargil as a transit point needs to be changed and the period of stay of tourists in the district needs to be enhanced, adding he urged the guests including prominent tour operators, travel agents, members of the All Domestic Tour Operators of India, bloggers, travel journalists to ensure inclusion of Kargil in their itinerary so that maximum number of tourists get to explore it which would in turn help in enhancing people’s economy.

Meanwhile, the guests from different states of the country while speaking on the occasion said that Kargil has potential to be the Switzerland of India and has great potential of winter tourism on account of its picturesque natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, adventure sports and other related activities. They further assured on behalf of the visiting team that all out steps will be taken to promote Kargil far and wide. 

Later, during the day, the guests were taken for a snow walk near the famed Dropadi Kund near Matayen where the local historians briefed them about the history and tourism potential of this tourist site.

Other activities during the day included visit of the guests to the famed Kargil War Memorial, horse riding facilitated by locals of Drass, besides guided heritage walks of the historic Balti Bazar and Old (Apo) Bazar Kargil and Handurman Heritage Village.

Members of the Apo Bazar Association including the President Apo Bazar Iftikhar Ali Sharah extended the guests warm traditional welcome at Apo Bazar.

Meanwhile, activities to be held during course of the next 2 days will comprise of snow skiing demo and soccer on snow at Linkipal Slopes, visit to the Maitreya Buddha Statue at Karchay Khar, shrine of prominent Islamic scholar Syed Mir Hashim at Karpo Khar and Purkichay for sight-seeing of the world famous Nun and Kun peaks followed by interactions, panel discussions, PPTs, cultural programmes and traditional costume show and a trip to the Aryan Valleys of Darchiks Garkone and Chiktan area where cultural programme will also be organized at Garkone Changrah.