Bandipora, July 11 :(KNS)    Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Dr Owais Ahmad on  Sunday  flagged-off Car Rally to Gurez Valley as a part of activities under Gurez Festival, 2021.

The Car rally that started from Srinagar will continue for three days and will reach Chakvali in Gurez valley. The rally marked the beginning of Gurez Festival 2021 being organised by District administration Bandipora and Directorate of Tourism.

The cavalcade comprised about 60 4X4 SUVs which would reach Dawar on Sunday evening and would later visit Chakvali – the last point of the Gurez valley. The rally would reach back to Srinagar on July 13th.

          During the rally, the participants would have bonfire sessions and cultural interactions with local youth while following the Covid Appropriate behavior strictly.

          Soon after flagging of the rally, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora himself drove an SUV to be part of the rally. He said the rally to Gurez valley is a big manoeuvre towards the promotion of adventure tourism in Bandipora district. He urged the participants to ensure their own safety and the safety of others by strictly following covid guidelines.

He said the aim of holding the Gurez festival is to attract the people to explore the Gurez valley. He said there is a huge potential of tourism in the Gurez valley including sightseeing, adventure tourism, water sports, winter sports, heritage tourism etc.

          Dr Owais said the promotion of tourism potential in past few years are bearing fruits   as the valley is witnessing huge influx of tourists . He said the rally would herald a new phase of tourist footfall to Gurez valley and both tourists and local stakeholders would benefit equally from the endeavour.

He said that efforts are being made to highlight the potential of tourism in Bandipora district and various projects are in the pipeline that will give flip to the tourism sector in the district. He invited the people to visit Bandipora this summer to have a variety of attractions including Wullar, Gurez, Authwatto besides other scenic beauties and avenues for adventure tourism.

He said the district has many tourist spots viz Tragbal, Wullar Lake, Sheerasar, Hapatnar, Tulail, Sirender, Athwatoo, Buthoo, and Krisilpati. Besides the shortest trekking route to mount Harmukh.

          Among others who were present include SSP Bandipora, Mohammad Zahid, KPS, Joint Director, Planning, Bandipora, Imtiyaz Ahmad, Divisional Forest Officer, Bandipora, Shabir Ahmad, & other senior officers of the district.(KNS)