Himachal Pradesh's Tribal Festival 2025 promotes eco-friendly practices with community engagement

The festival, which took place from August 14 to 16, at the Police Ground in Keylong, drew attention for its environmental sustainability. It featured a complete ban on single-use plastic

New Delhi: Himachal Pradesh's first eco-friendly and zero-waste state-level Tribal Festival 2025, was successfully held at Keylong in the Lahaul-Spiti district, earlier this August.

The festival took place from August 14 to 16 at the Police Ground in Keylong. The three-day event, organised by the district administration of Lahaul and Spiti, spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner Kiran Bhadana, was aimed to promote sustainability, reduce environmental footprint, and strengthen community engagement while showcasing cultural heritage. 

The event was backed by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, TRIFED (Tribes of India), the North Zone Cultural Centre, and the Government of Himachal Pradesh.

This year's edition marked a historic milestone with zero-waste and green practices setting a new benchmark for environmentally conscious public events amid climate change concerns here.

The festival was attended by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who virtually inaugurated the event.

Outlined the significance of the festival, he said, "Lahaul is not only a land of unmatched beauty and cultural depth, but also a symbol of how sustainable development and heritage preservation can go hand-in-hand. The eco-friendly Tribal Festival 2025 is a shining example of a forward-looking, environmentally conscious Himachal Pradesh."

The festival drew attention for its environmental sustainability. It featured a complete ban on single-use plastic, the use of biodegradable utensils, refillable water stations, and waste segregation by Swachhata volunteers. These initiatives not only reduced the festival's ecological footprint but also served as a model for future events in the state, said an official statement. 

The festival was a vibrant celebration of Lahaul and Spiti's rich cultural heritage, featuring performances by renowned artists such as Da Shugs Band from Ladakh, folk singer Faisal Ashoor, Rosy Sharma, and Firdaus Band.

Traditional dances like Jabro and Chabskyan enthralled the audience, while pageants like Tribal Queen, Tribal King, and Grihalakshmi showcased the region's cultural diversity and promoted empowerment. The event also included sports competitions, yoga sessions, plantation drives, and cleanliness campaigns, fostering community engagement and participation.

The event showcased the region's unique tribal identity through indigenous art forms, music, cuisine, and crafts, while incorporating eco-friendly practices to bring down environmental impact. The tourism department is spreading such awareness for the mountainous regions like Himachal Pradesh, where tourism and cultural events are integral to the local economy and identity, and embracing sustainability is vital said the statement. 

Lahaul and Spiti remains one of India's most remote and beautiful landscapes. The Lahaul and Spiti district is the fourth least populous district in India.