SURKHET: The Provincial Agriculture, Tourism and Industrial Fair kicked off in Jumla yesterday with an aim to promote products of Karnali Province.

The extensive 10-day fair — organised by the Jumla Chamber of Commerce and Industry and supported by one municipality and seven rural municipalities — aims to promote the agro products, tourism, culture and trade of Karnali, according to Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jumla Chair Ramdatta Rawal. Provincial Assembly member, Gajendra Bahadur Mahat, inaugurated the festival being held at Jumla's proposed stadium in Rajasim, amidst a performance of the Magal song and dance which reflected the Khas civilisation – a traditional identity of Karnali. Mahat said the fair would instill motivation for promoting tourism and culture while concurrently providing the entrepreneurs new opportunities and serving the province a directive to move forward with a new working plan.

'Now we should not live with only imported goods, we must increase our local produce. Our local crops are viewed as the best commodity in the country,' he added.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by State Minister for Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation Bal Bahadur Mahat, former State Minister for Livestock Development Goma Kunwar, District Coordination Committee Deputy Chief Karma Budha, and mayor and deputy mayor of the municipality including chiefs of the rural municipalities. The fair features 150 stalls presenting local products such as apple, corn, wheat, rabbit cap, muffler, churpi durkha or hardened cheese and traditional attires. The local Dhal dance, Balo dance that are performed during wedding ceremonies along with the famous Deuda song competition will also be on offer for the visitors. Rawal added that the fair is being held with a hope of boosting tourism and trade as part of Karnali provincial government's decision to mark the Nepali New Year as 'Karnali – Rara Tourism Year 2075'. On the first day, 3,700 domestic and external tourists visited the fair.

The total expense of organising the fair is estimated to touch Rs 8 million, according to organisers.