Srinagar May 19 (ANI): Around 50 Shikara boats in Jammu and Kashmir lined up in the renowned Dal Lake on Sunday to participate in a race, which was organised to showcase the culture of the state and promote tourism in the valley.
The participants in the race, comprising of owners and operators of Shikaras, said boat racing was a prominent attraction in the region 20 years ago, but had faded over time.
"This race is being organised as part of the tourism festival and we want such events to continue in the future. Such races used to happen some 20 years back, but with time they had faded away but we are happy that they are being re-started here today. We would get an opportunity to move forward because of such events," said Abdul Rashid, a participant in the race.
The race is part of the fortnight long Kashmir tourism festival, which began on May 14.
The festival , jointly funded by the Centre and the state government, showcased the products and services of various departments like tourism, horticulture and handicrafts.
Tourism is the backbone of Kashmir valley; around eighty percent of the people depend on tourism, which creates a lot of employment in the state.
The peak tourism season in the valley runs till August.
"There are around 50 Shikaras participating in this race. We want to show that there is peace in the valley. The Shikara is a tradition of Kashmir and the publicity of this race would benefit us a lot," said Lateef Ahmad, another participant in the race.
Kashmir, the Switzerland of the east, is a Mecca for climbers, skiers, honeymooners and filmmakers . They are drawn to the state's soaring peaks, fruit orchards and timber houseboats bobbing on Dal Lake in Srinagar.
Planeloads of India's upwardly mobile middle class have visited the picture postcard-perfect Kashmir Valley this summer, making it the busiest tourist season . (ANI)
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