Global rafting championship in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu, Feb 24 (IANS) A four-day long international rafting championship started Sunday in Chenab river in the mountainous Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir to promote adventure tourism.

“The aim of this first of its kind event is to promote adventure tourism in Jammu region and to catch the attention of adventure lovers,” Tourism Minister Ghulam Ahmad Mir said, inaugurating the event.

The state’s tourism department organised the event in collaboration with International Rafting Federation.

Director International Rafting Federation Joe Alice and rafting expert Natali are the judges of the event.

Teams from Australia, Nepal, the Czech and Slovok republics, the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the state’s rafting teams are participating in the event.

A 10-km stretch of Chenab river from Thathri to Prem Nagar in Doda district has been identified for the event.

“Adventure tourism holds great potential to generate jobs for the state’s people, especially the youths,” the minister said.

About 100 youths of Doda district would be trained in river rafting with the objective that they adopt this as profession and generate income for livelihood.

The government would provide easy loans with subsidy to these youths for managing own rafts for promotion of river tourism in the belt.

IANS 2013-02-24 19:20:03