A vibrant one-day Gool Mela was organised at Narsingha in Gool Sub-Division by the Directorate of Tourism Jammu in collaboration with the District Administration Ramban, showcasing the region’s cultural heritage, tourism potential and traditional craftsmanship.
The event witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 10,000 people attending from Ramban, Reasi and adjoining areas, turning the picturesque meadow into a lively cultural and tourism hub.
The mela was inaugurated by MLA Banihal Sajjad Shaheen, MLA Gulabgarh Khurshid Ahmad, Director Tourism Jammu Dr Vikas Gupta, Deputy Commissioner Ramban Mohammad Alyas Khan, and SSP Ramban Arun Gupta.
Organisers said the festival aimed to promote offbeat destinations such as Gool, Neeltop, Margantop, Mohu Valley and Tattapani, while showcasing local culture, handicrafts, cuisine and tourism opportunities. Officials stressed that such initiatives are key to generating sustainable livelihoods and strengthening rural tourism.
Addressing the gathering, speakers highlighted the tourism potential of the region and called for continued efforts to develop Gool as a major tourist destination. The administration also urged youth participation in tourism promotion and reaffirmed commitment to making Ramban a drug-free district under the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir campaign.
A key attraction of the mela was the exhibition of local handicrafts, handloom products and traditional cuisine by artisans, Self-Help Groups and entrepreneurs. The stalls drew large crowds and provided a platform for promoting local livelihoods and rural enterprise.
The cultural segment featured performances by artists including Bishan Dass and Chaman Lehri, along with students and local performers, who showcased folk music and traditional art forms of Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials from various departments, civil society members and a large number of visitors attended the event. The Gool Mela concluded with the felicitation of artists and performers for their contribution to preserving the region’s cultural heritage, reinforcing efforts toward sustainable and community-driven tourism development.