Leh, April 13: The Apricot Blossom Festival 2025 was celebrated today with colour, vibrancy, and deep cultural resonance at Alchi. Organised by the Department of Tourism, UT Ladakh in collaboration with LAHDC Leh, the event brought together locals, tourists, officials, and artists in a spirited celebration of Ladakh’s rich cultural traditions and warm hospitality.

Chairman/CEC, LAHDC Leh, Adv. Tashi Gyalson attended the festival as the Chief Guest. The occasion also saw the presence of DC/CEO LAHDC Leh, Santosh Sukhadeve (IAS), and Councillor, Khaltsi Constituency, Lobzang Sherab.

The occasion also witnessed the presence of Shashanka Ala, Administrative Secretary (Rural Development Department); Bhanu Prabha, Administrative Secretary, School Education Department; Piyush Fulzele, SSP Security; Stanzin Norboo, AIG Provision PHQ; and SSP Leh, Shruti Arora. Among other dignitaries present were Kunzes Dolma (JKAS), Director, Tourism, UT Ladakh; Tsewang Phuntsog, Director, Horticulture Department; Tashi Dolma, Director, Social Welfare Department; Padma Angmo (JKAS), Assistant Director, Tourism; SDM Likir, Sajad Hussain; Nambardar Alchi, Tsewang Stobdan; President, Dukling Tsogspa Alchi, Tsewang Norboo; members of the Alchi Goba, SHG members, local villagers, members of the media, and tourists from across India and abroad.

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The festival began with a traditional welcome and a site visit to stalls showcasing local cuisine, handicrafts, and cultural artefacts curated by the villagers and self-help groups. This was followed by a vibrant cultural programme featuring the Mentok Stanmo dance led by Sonam Nurboo, traditional performances by students of Council Model School Alchi and Alchi Institute, and a series of folk dances including Shondol, Zhabro, Zhung Lu, and Ali Yoto by local cultural groups.

The event also marked the distribution of land allotment papers to beneficiaries of Alchi Thang, signalling a key step forward in rural development efforts.

Director Tourism, Kunzes Dolma, expressed her gratitude to the organisers, the villagers of Alchi, and all participating departments for their dedicated support in making the festival a grand success. She reiterated the department’s continued focus on sustainable tourism across Ladakh.

In his address, CEC Adv. Tashi Gyalson congratulated the people of Alchi and commended the organisers for successfully hosting the festival. He described it as a vital initiative for promoting rural tourism and safeguarding Ladakh’s cultural heritage.

Drawing parallels with Japan’s cherry blossom festivals, he noted that Ladakh’s apricot blossom holds the potential to offer a unique springtime experience to visitors. He also acknowledged the active efforts of the Khaltsi Councillor, Lobzang Sherab, in coordinating the event at the grassroots level, and emphasised the importance of community-driven festivals in fostering cultural revival and responsible tourism.

DC Santosh Sukhadeve appreciated the coordination between the community, LAHDC, and government departments in organising the event. He noted that such initiatives play a crucial role in strengthening rural economies while preserving cultural values. He congratulated the land allotment beneficiaries and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to inclusive development across tourism, agriculture, and youth engagement.

Councillor, Khaltsi, Lobzang Sherab also spoke on the occasion. He highlighted the potential of community-led tourism in the region and encouraged villagers to actively promote homestays as a means of generating sustainable income and enriching the tourism experience in Ladakh.

The celebrations concluded with a lively group dance that saw villagers, guests, and artists come together in a joyous finale. A formal vote of thanks was delivered by Tsewang Norboo, President of Dukling Tsogspa Alchi, who acknowledged the tireless efforts of the organisers, villagers, and all stakeholders.

The day-long celebration ended on a hopeful note, echoing the spirit of community, culture, and a shared commitment to preserving Ladakh’s living heritage.