Shimla Winter Carnival 2025 Kicks Off with Cultural Grandeur, Draws Heavy Tourist Footfall

The Shimla Winter Carnival was formally inaugurated on Wednesday at The Ridge by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, marking the beginning of a vibrant cultural celebration that has already begun drawing large numbers of tourists to the hill town.

Organised by the Shimla Municipal Corporation, the carnival opened with a colourful cultural parade showcasing folk troupes from all districts of Himachal Pradesh. The Chief Minister flagged off the procession and later visited a painting exhibition, witnessed the traditional Maha Nati performance and attended the Home Guards Inter-Battalion band competition near the Town Hall.

Congratulating the organisers, Sukhu extended his best wishes for the successful conduct of the carnival, which is being held this year on the theme of a ‘Drug-Free Himachal’.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said Himachal Pradesh’s serene and pollution-free environment not only offers peace and tranquillity but also promotes good health. “The state has been richly endowed by nature with exceptional scenic beauty, and its picturesque valleys attract crores of tourists every year,” he said.

Emphasising the economic importance of such events, Sukhu noted that cultural festivals play a vital role in boosting the local economy. He said tourist arrivals in the state are steadily increasing and added that, keeping in view the vast potential of eco-tourism, the state government has notified a revised Eco-Tourism Policy.

Under the policy, the Forest Department has already allotted 11 eco-tourism sites, while the allotment process for another 27 sites is in its final stage. From 2023 to November 2025, nearly Rs 6 crore has been generated through various eco-tourism activities, he added.

To further promote tourism, the Chief Minister said the government has launched an interest subsidy scheme for home-stays and introduced an online portal for their registration. A Tourism Investment Promotion Council has also been constituted to attract investment in the sector.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dhani Ram Shandil, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, AICC secretary Vidit Chaudhary, MLAs Harish Janartha and Vivek Sharma, Mayor Surinder Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, councillors and other dignitaries were present at the inauguration.

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