In collaboration with the Department of Tourism, the District Administration of Kulgam in South Kashmir organised the Aharbal Mela to promote Kashmir tourism, especially at the tourist destination of Aharbal waterfall. They organised the Aharbal Mela near Aharbal Waterfall Park, which is a very famous destination in south Kashmir and always attracts a good number of visitors, both locals and outsiders, during the summer.
Visitors always take beautiful photographs in front of the famous waterfall. During the Aharbal Mela, various departments also installed multiple stalls, including agriculture, horticulture, sheep, animal husbandry, tourism, KVIB, apiculture, floriculture, handicrafts and other departments. It also displayed the local traditions and culture in stalls.
Therefore, painting competitions were organised in the Aharbal Mela, and students from various schools took part in these competitions. Groups of boys also took part in cycling and trekking events which were flagged off by Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Kulgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-din. The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Kulgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-din Bhat, said to the press, “On the directions of Lieutenant Governor (LG), the district administration is making concerted and coordinated efforts to promote potential tourism destinations like Aharbal, which is an offbeat tourist destination. The festival or mela is part of the government’s initiative to promote this offbeat destination across Jammu & Kashmir.”
“The local traditional culture and cuisines were also showcased during this festival. The participants and locals lauded this step taken by the district administration,” he further added.