JAMMU, DECEMBER 16 (KNS): The Directorate of Tourism, Jammu under the active guidance of Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary, Tourism Department, on Friday organized a Bird Watching and photography Competition at Gharana Wetland.
A group of over 100 participants was flagged off by Sunaina Sharma, Joint Director Tourism, Jammu in presence of Abdul Jabbar, Deputy Director Tourism, Publicity and Neha Mahajan, Deputy Director Tourism, Planning from TRC, Jammu.
The Joint Director Tourism, while flagging off the group of participants, briefed that the motive of organizing Bird Watching and photography Competition was to promote the Gharana Wetland which is home to more than 150 species of birds like bar-headed geese, gadwalls, common teals etc and is also an eco tourism paradise among potential travel markets.
It was also disclosed that many more promotional events are in pipeline, especially in border destinations like the Nowshera Folk Festival, Frozen Fiesta in Poonch, Winter Carnival Sanasar/Patnitop etc in coming days.
During the visit, Gul dev Raj, Head M/S. Himalayan Avian and several other experts from Wildlife department & other institutions explained the participants regarding the time of arrival/departure of the migratory birds, Food habits, suitable climatic conditions and their role in maintaining the ecological balance.
The participants of the Bird Watching and Photography Competition included Wildlife experts, Researchers of wildlife, Photographers, bloggers/Vloggers and other stakeholders of Travel Trade.
Abdul Jabbar, DDT Jammu, informed the participants that there was a dire need to conserve the migratory birds’ habitats in the interest of biodiversity. “While we enjoy the pleasant sight of various species of migratory bird from Central Asia, the event shall also encourage tourism activities in the region,” said Dheeraj, a participant.
Later in the evening, a musical evening was held at Octroi Post, Suchetgarh. The chief Guest of the function was Vivek Srivastav, Commandant, 165 BN, BSF,Octroi Post Suchetgarh.
The vibrant performances of the musical bonanza included local dance forms like jagarna, Geetru etc. The whole ambience was festive and patriotic as both the Jawans as well as visiting tourists danced to the beats of Bollywood songs.
Also present on the occasion were Sheena Sahni, Assistant Director, Tourism Jammu, Pradeep Sharma, Assistant Commandant, BSF, Suchetgarh Octroi Post, besides other stakeholders of the Tourism Department and prominent citizens of the area.(KNS)