Environmental Awareness Takes Center Stage at Sion Day Winter Fest 2024 in Gilgit Baltistan.
Ghizer: The formal inauguration of the Seven Day Winter Festival 2024 commenced with thrilling ice hockey matches on the frozen and enchanting Khalti Lake. The organized event officially began at 4 PM with a central ceremony, attended by special guest Chief Secretary Gilgit Baltistan Abrar Ahmed Marza, as well as political and social figures. A significant number of tourists from Gilgit Baltistan and across the country also graced the occasion.
Secretary of Tourism and Culture Asifullah Khan delivered the opening speech, shedding light on the cultural significance of the Sion Day Festival, particularly in promoting winter sports and tourism. He emphasized the need for effective promotion to attract winter sports enthusiasts from Pakistan and around the world to experience the unique culture and winter sports of the region.
Apart from ice hockey matches, the event featured regional dances on makeshift stages, adding a vibrant touch to the festivities. The unveiling of the trophy for the Sion Day Winter Fest was conducted by the Chief Guest, along with tours of cultural stalls for guests.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Secretary Gilgit Baltistan Abrar Ahmed Marza expressed that the Sion Day Winter Festival would play a crucial role in the economic development of Gilgit Baltistan through the promotion of winter sports and adventure tourism. He highlighted the importance of supporting adventure sports alongside tourism activities for the economic growth of Gilgit Baltistan. The festival signifies the positive identity of the region through the promotion of winter sports and adventure sports, paving the way for a prosperous future.
The local community and the Khalti community cooperated to enhance the charm of the event, organizing cultural and food stalls. Local cultural items were showcased, capturing the attention of visitors. The inaugural day witnessed ice hockey matches featuring 16 men’s and four women’s teams from various districts of Gilgit Baltistan. In addition to ice hockey matches, the first day of the Sion Day Winter Festival included intriguing competitions in skating and ice curling.
More From Daily The Destination: Gilgit-Baltistan Wheat Price Controversy, Stakeholders Unite for Subsidy Consultations
On the occasion of Sion Day Winter Fest 2024, an environmental awareness campaign “Pighalti Duniya Ke Gonj” was organized in collaboration with the Agency for Habitat Hibernation. This campaign held in Galmat Gojal, Hunza, aimed to raise awareness about the effects of seasonal and environmental changes, enlightening people about potential future risks. The participants, including both the general public and students, actively engaged in creating various sculptures from snow and sand, incorporating imaginative models related to environmental awareness. The objective of this awareness campaign was to sensitize the people of Gilgit Baltistan about the impacts of climate change and future challenges, encouraging community-level initiatives to address environmental challenges.
