Srinagar, Jul 31 (KNS): In order to promote new tourist destinations, the department of tourism Kashmir and Jammu and Kashmir Mountaineering and Hiking Club Sunday flagged off 115 members to Bangus Valley for one day trekking.
The members boarded the buses at Tourist Reception Center (TRC) Srinagar 5:30 am to reach Kupwara and from Chowkibal the participants trekked to Bangus Meadows which fall.
This is for the first time any excursion or trekking program has been organized to this picturesque Valley at 72 kms of distance from Srinagar in Kupwara.
This maiden trek to Bangus was organized with the full cooperation from Deputy Commissioner Kupwara and CO 21 RR.
Director Tourism Kashmir Mahmood A Shah said the department is committed to promoting Bangus Valley as an offbeat destination.
“We are also planning to organize Bangus Festival in the coming months in order to highlight the potential the picturesque destination,” said Director Tourism Kashmir
Director tourism Kashmir said they Development Authority of Bangus – Lolab and Drangyari has already come into existence and every effort is being made to promote Lolab, Bungus, and Drangyari as tourist destinations on Shamsbari mountain ranges in Kupwara.
The Kupwara district boasts of lofty mountains, beautiful meadows and pastures, lush green forests, wild flowers, and a stream flowing on the outskirts of the Rangwar. Besides orchards of apples, cherry, peach and apricot and vast walnut fields are a treat to watch.
The department has also created tourism infrastructure for the comfortable stay of the travellers which include huts at Rangwar, Reswari and Drangrayari.
Meanwhile, Sunday evening saw yet another round of ‘Culture on Cruise’ in Dal Lake in which artists, musicians, poets performed together for the entertainment of hosts.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThe cruise ride offered an opportunity for the academicians, writers, intellectuals besides locals and tourists to mix up and discuss and debate on varies issues while also enjoying soothing voices from master singers and musicians.
The weekly cruise was started jointly by the department of tourism Kashmir and J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages last week evoking overwhelming response from the locals.
There has been an overwhelming response to the cruise and many locals and tourists were seen watching the performances on the cruise from the boulevard to enjoy its sight.
Besides other artist and poets, the prominent and favorite Kashmiri singer Rahid Jagingir performed during the cruse rides. Many locals came to listen to their Rashid Jahangir who with his melodious voice mesmerized the audience. The cruise was fully packed and some of the people had to climb the roof top of the cruise while others reached the cruise in Shikara and clung there till the singer was performing.
Director Tourism Kashmir Mahmood A Shah said the programme is a part of department’s efforts to revive local music, culture and art and promote tourism through culture.
“We have rich culture. It is not only beauty and landscape that we have to promote. We have to show the locals and the tourists how rich our culture and art is. Tourists who visit Kashmir can enjoy Kashmiri music and have something different for entertainment,” said Shah.
In the festival, regular interactions with cross sections of the society and tourists who visit the lake.
The cruise starts at Nehru Park at 5.30 pm on Sunday and lasts for about two hours. (KNS)