<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">In Ladakh, Commissioner Secretary Tourism & Culture UT Ladakh, Kacho Mehboob Ali Khan, inaugurated the 8th edition of the two-day Ladakh Zanskar Festival-2023 at Padum in Zanskar, Kargil.</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">The 8th edition of Zanskar festival began with people in traditional attire and exhibition stalls displaying traditional cuisine, attire, lifestyle, ethnicity and unique Zanskar culture along with stalls from different departments. Kacho Mehboob Ali Khan along with other guests visited the stalls and appreciated the efforts of villagers and volunteers.</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Mr Khan also inaugurated the exhibition match of a traditional archery competition. Major attractions of the festival include Lharna, an auspicious traditional music of Ladakh, Folk Zanskari Songs & Dance presented by Padum based Kanishka Cultural troupe. Presentation of Cultural Traditional Dance and Songs by Stakri Cultural Association, Zanskar & Sword Dance by Zanskar Muslim Youth Association Padum, have attracted visitors.</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Appreciating the efforts of the organizing committee Mehboob Ali Khan said that the motive of organizing such events is to promote the rich cultural heritage of Ladakh as well as attract tourists towards Zanskar even during the off-season. Tourism has become one of the major industries in Ladakh, providing opportunities to youths to earn a living and become an employer to employ other people in the society. Talking about the initiatives of the Department he said that work on listing of heritage sites has been completed and restoration of various heritage sites has been taken up.</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">Responding to a question on the status of the Museum in Kargil, Kacho Mehboob said that they are waiting for the allotment of Land for the construction of the Museum in both Kargil and Leh districts from the LAHDCs and there is no shortage of funds as the project is already sanctioned.</span></p>