CEC LAHDC, Leh calls on Mufti

Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) LAHDC, Leh, Rigzen Spalbar, called on the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, here this afternoon and apprised him about the issues pertaining to promotion of tourism in Leh district.
Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas, was also present on the occasion.
During the meeting, Spalbar informed the Chief Minister about the ‘Himalayan Hemis Mela’being organized in July next year in which nearly two lakh visitors are expected to participate from 76 countries. However, due to meager resources available with LAHDC Leh, he said the mega festival cannot be organized by the Council of its own.
Given the huge impetus ‘Himalayan Hemis Mela’ will provide to Ladakh’s tourism sector, the Chief Minister assured Spalbar that the State Government will accord it the highest priority and take up the matter with the Union Ministries of Tourism & Culture so that it is successfully organized.
On the issue of increasing flight frequency to Leh from Delhi and Srinagar, Mufti Sayeed said the matter will be further pursued with the Civil Aviation Ministry so that more flights are operated between Delhi and Leh and Srinagar and Leh respectively.
Spalbar also briefed the Chief Minister about the three-day Sindhu Festival, being organized from June 12 and the Hemis Mela, scheduled to be held on June 26.
Both the festivals, which are visited by a large number of domestic and overseas tourists, play a key role in promotion of tourism and cultural heritage of Ladakh region.
Placing high priority on honing the skills of local youth, the Chief Minister laid emphasis on dovetailing the tourism industry of Ladakh with its handicraft sector so that local economy and internal revenue generation is increased.
CEC LAHDC, Leh, briefed the Chief Minister about the steps being taken to promote carpet and pashmina weaving, besides advances made in wood craft and paintings depicting rich culture of Ladakh region.