SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Tuesday inaugurated the two-day 11th Ladakh Zanskar Festival 2026, the first edition of the annual event since Zanskar was granted district status in April this year.
The festival is showcasing Zanskar’s cultural heritage, distinct identity and tourism potential, with local communities participating in cultural programmes and other activities.
During the inaugural event, Saxena inspected stalls and Doksa exhibitions featuring local crafts, products and cultural traditions. He also virtually inaugurated infrastructure assets completed in Zanskar district.
The Lieutenant Governor released ‘Shesrab’, the annual magazine of Government Degree College Zanskar, and unveiled a special postal cover on Gonbo Rangjon in collaboration with India Post.
Addressing the gathering, Saxena said Zanskar’s new district status represented recognition of the aspirations and distinct identity of its people and was more than an administrative change.
He highlighted the region’s monasteries, mountains, rivers, trekking routes, adventure activities and traditional culture as key components of its tourism potential. He said the Zanskar Festival had been included in the UT Administration’s official tourism calendar, bringing greater focus to the region’s cultural and tourism offerings.
Saxena said more than 4.05 lakh tourists had visited Ladakh up to August 31, including over 3.71 lakh domestic visitors and more than 33,000 foreign tourists.
He said the increase in tourist arrivals could generate greater business for hotels, homestays, taxi operators, restaurants, local shops and artisans, while creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people.
The Lieutenant Governor stressed that tourism development in Zanskar should remain sustainable, responsible and people-centric, with the region’s environment, culture and traditions protected.
On connectivity, Saxena highlighted the Nimmu-Padum-Darcha (NPD) Road and the NH-301 Kargil-Zanskar Highway, saying the projects would improve access and create opportunities for tourism, local businesses, artisans, drivers, guides and young entrepreneurs.
“These projects are not merely about building roads. They are infrastructure that can transform people’s lives, the local economy and opportunities,” Saxena said, while acknowledging the priority given to Ladakh’s development by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He also called upon Zanskar’s youth to protect their cultural heritage and use digital platforms, social media and modern technology to promote the region globally and develop opportunities in tourism and entrepreneurship.
Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil, Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon; Ladakh Member of Parliament Mohd Haneefa Jan; and other public representatives and officials of the district administration attended the event.
