Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha graced the closing ceremony of the Jashn-e-Dal annual water sports tournament today, September 15, 2025, organized by Jammu and Kashmir Police at Srinagar’s picturesque Dal Lake, drawing over 5,000 spectators and 300 participants. The three-day event, themed “Harmony on Water,” featured kayaking, canoeing, dragon boat races, and swimming competitions, promoting tourism and youth engagement in a post-flood recovery phase. Winners received trophies and cash prizes totaling ₹5 lakh, with local teams dominating 70% of categories.
Dal Lake, spanning 18 sq km and supporting 10,000 houseboat families, has been a tourism lifeline generating ₹2,000 crore annually, but recent floods damaged 20% of shikaras and polluted waters affecting 50,000 visitors monthly. The tournament, revived post-2019, aligns with the UT’s tourism push under the ₹191 crore CAPEX for 2025-26, aiming to restore pre-Article 370 footfall of 1.2 crore tourists. Sinha praised the police’s role in community building, noting J&K Police’s 1,500+ sports initiatives reaching 50,000 youth amid 23% unemployment.
The event started off with Additional Director General of Police (Armed) Anand Jain’s inaugration.
Events included eco-awareness drives, with 80% participants from flood-affected areas like Anantnag, where 283 houses were damaged. The festival underscores cultural revival, blending adventure with heritage—Dal Lake hosts 4,000 houseboats. Post-event cleanups addressed pollution from 150% excess rains, while security ensured smooth conduct amid regional tensions. This edition saw 30% more female participants than 2024’s 150, promoting gender inclusivity in a region with 48% female literacy. As NH-44 remains vulnerable, such events boost morale, targeting 20% tourism growth by 2026.