Lahaul & Spiti Hosts Historic Himachal Tribal Festival 2025
Lahaul & Spiti Hosts Historic Himachal Tribal Festival 2025
Lahaul & Spiti made history with the successful hosting of the State-Level Himachal Tribal Festival 2025 at the Police Ground in Keylong. Organized by the District Administration of Lahaul & Spiti, the three-day cultural extravaganza became the first-ever eco-friendly and zero-waste festival in Himachal Pradesh, setting a new standard for sustainable, community-led celebrations.
Chief Minister Inaugurates Festival & Projects
The festival was inaugurated by Hon’ble Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who virtually launched and laid the foundation stone of development projects worth ₹36 crore for the Lahaul region. His address emphasized that the festival reflects the balance between cultural preservation and sustainable development.
Boosting Tribal Tourism & Livelihoods
The festival attracted visitors from across the valley, including tourists, local residents, and cultural enthusiasts. It played a significant role in promoting tribal tourism, community integration, and livelihood generation through sales of local products and homestay participation. Over 790 homestays and 70 hotels supported the influx of attendees, giving a boost to the region’s hospitality sector.
A Message of Sustainability
Addressing the audience, the Chief Minister highlighted that Lahaul embodies natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and sustainable growth. He described the Tribal Festival 2025 as a model of eco-conscious celebration that paves the way for a greener and progressive Himachal Pradesh.
Leadership & Dignitaries
The event was attended by several distinguished leaders, including Rajesh Dharmani, Minister for Urban Development, Housing & Technical Education, as the Chief Guest, and Anuradha Rana, MLA from Lahaul-Spiti.
The festival was spearheaded by Kiran Bhadana (IAS), Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul & Spiti, whose vision transformed it into a celebration of cultural heritage and environmental mindfulness. She was joined by leaders such as Veena Devi, Zila Parishad Chairperson; Akanksha Sharma, SDM Keylong; Kalyani Tiwana, Assistant Commissioner; Rashmi Sharma, DSP Keylong, and several Panchayati Raj representatives.
Zero-Waste Festival Execution
The highlight of the festival was its eco-friendly execution. Single-use plastic was completely banned, biodegradable utensils were used, refillable water stations were set up, and waste was managed through segregation by Swachhata volunteers. These measures earned widespread appreciation, making the event a model for future green festivals in Himachal Pradesh.
Cultural Showcases & Tribal Pride
The festival began with a Shobha Yatra, celebrating tribal unity alongside the 79th District-Level Independence Day parade by Himachal Police, Home Guards, BRO, and students.
Evenings came alive with cultural performances by artists such as Da Shugs Band (Ladakh), folk singer Faisal Ashoor, Rosy Sharma, and Firdaus Band, along with traditional dances like Jabro and Chabskyan. Beauty pageants like Mr. & Ms. Lahaul-Spiti, Tribal Queen, Tribal King, and Grihalakshmi showcased the region’s cultural vibrancy and empowerment.
Sports & Community Spirit
Sports events such as cricket, volleyball, badminton, tug of war, and traditional games like matka fod added excitement. In a unique highlight, Deputy Commissioner Kiran Bhadana actively joined participants, underscoring the inclusive spirit of the festival.
Community-Centric Pre-Festival Activities
In the run-up to the main event, the district administration organized several initiatives from August 2 to 13, including yoga sessions, plantation drives, cleanliness campaigns, painting and poetry competitions, and traditional sports events. These activities encouraged active community engagement across the valley.
Exhibitions & Local Entrepreneurship
Over a dozen departments and organizations showcased government services, welfare schemes, and awareness campaigns. The Health Department offered free check-ups for nearly 200 visitors, while AYUSH and other agencies promoted state schemes. Self-help groups (SHGs) and Tribes India displayed handicrafts, local cuisine, and traditional products, boosting rural entrepreneurship and income generation.
