2-day Pogal festival concludes with scintillating variety cultural show
RAMBAN : The Directorate of Tourism Jammu, in collaboration with District Administration Ramban, on Sunday organised a variety cultural programme studded with the colours of local folk music and dance to mark the end of 2- day Pogal Festival.
The festival was organized under the overall supervision of Director Tourism, Jammu, Vivekananda Rai, and Deputy Commissioner, Ramban Mussarat Islam.
On the first day, around 200 trekkers and school children were flagged off for on a adventures trekking expedition from Higher Secondary School Pogal, by BDC Chairman Ukhral, Karleep Singh Bali. The trekkers traversed through lush green scenic Sargali Meadow via Rahoon Top.
The trekkers also camped at the Sargali Meadow for a night. The virgin Pogal Paristan area has been included in the 75 offbeat destinations for projecting these on the tropism map of J&K UT.
The second and last day of the festival was marked by a grand cultural show featuring local folk music and dance forms, especially Kud and Getru.
The concluding day was graced by Chairperson District Development Council, Dr. Shamshad Shan as the Chief Guest, while SDM Ramsoo, Viqar Giri, -the Nodal Officer for the grand festival also graced the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Shamshad Shan said that this initiative of the Directorate of Tourism Jammu and District Administration Ramban is a welcome step towards promoting tourism in the off-beat destinations in the district. “It will help in exploring these virgin scenic areas, besides providing employment opportunities to the locals as also give the tourists a taste of the rural life” she added.
The festival was attended by a large number of people including trekkers and local travelers who appreciated the efforts made by the Tourism Department and District Administration Ramban in bringing Pogal-Paristan on the tourism map.
Among others present on the occasion were DDC member Gandhri, Shamim Akhter; Tehsildar Ukhral Nasir Javaid; Sarpanch Pogal Upper, Mohammad Iqbal Katoch; Sarpanch Pogal Lower, Assistant Tourist Officer, Zaheer-ud-din, PRI members and prominent persons of the area.