Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 19: For the first time in the history, an international river- rafting event is being organized in river- Chenab by the State Tourism Department to promote adventure tourism in Doda and Kishtwar districts from Feb 24 to 28 this year.
While two European teams have already reached here, the teams from Australia, Nepal, Uttrakhand and Himachal are arriving here tomorrow. The teams from Army and Police had trials between Thathri and Prem Nagar on river Chenab in last two-three days. For the international event being held from February 24, a 10- km river patch has been identified for the safe and adventurous rafting competition between Thathri and Doda.
Minister for Tourism, Ghulam Ahmed Mir while giving details disclosed that it will be first ever international rafting event on river Chenab in Doda belt. The purpose is to explore new adventure tourism potential in Doda and attract international teams and tourists to this place.
The Army and Police teams will train nearly 100 youth from Doda, Bhaderwah and Kishtwar during next two weeks in river rafting skills. The objective is also to attract and encourage unemployed youth of this area in adventure tourism so that they could adopt river rafting as profession and generate income for their family and making their livelihood. There is no much scope of Government jobs but there is no dearth of tourism and hydel power potential in this belt”, Mir maintained.
There will be trials on Feb 22 and 23 and the event would commence on February 14. Chief Minister, his several Cabinet colleagues, legislators from the Chenab valley and top officers of Tourism Department would attend the event.
Besides state, national and international media, 18 noted Tour operators from Mumbai and Delhi will also witness the event.
Like river rafting at Kullu-Manali in Beas river, Lither river at Pahalgam and several other tourist places in the North, Doda should also become a famous adventure tourism destination especially in river rafting. The visiting tour operators from Mumbai after attending this rafting event at Doda would pay visit to Bhaderwah, Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Katra, Mir said.
He said Director Tourism Kashmir, Talat Parvez and Director Tourism Jammu, R S Mehta are coordinating this event.
Director Tourism Kashmir Mr Parvez when contacted said that special arrangements have been made for their comfortable stay at different locations. They will take trials on river Chenab for the first two days.
He disclosed that earlier a survey was conducted and army experts besides some civilian teams from Himachal and Uttranchal guided for the event.
He said training programme of two weeks for nearly 100 daring youth from Doda belt began today as some teams have already reached there. These youth are being helped by army, police and other experts in rafting skills. The department will plan to provide easy loans to these youth for managing own rafts and promote this adventure tourism in Doda belt, Parvez added.
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