In an attempt to promote winter tourism in the State, a unique ‘Wild Water Week’ organised in Rudraprayag district under the joint aegis of ‘Uttaranchal Kayaking Canoeing and Rafting Association’ and ‘Ganga Kayak School’ ended on Sunday.
Many river-based competitions during the event on hitherto unexplored Alaknanda, Mandakini and Madhmaheshwar Rivers were held during the week. The event drew participation of 22 enthusiasts from four countries.
The Free Style trial competition, organised on November 22 on Alaknanda river was won by Pramod. The second and third place was secured by Amit and Ashu respectively. Similarly a thrilling ‘Extreme Kayaking race’ was held on November 24 at confluence of Madmaheswar and Mandakini rivers. The event was won by Ayodhya Prasad. He also won the whitewater Slalom organized on 25 November in Mandakini River. It is pertinent to mention here that the whitewater Slalom is an Olympic event and four gold medals are at stake in the competition.
During the week the participants and organizers also searched for the opportunities in river based tourism and employment in this area.
The Secretary, Uttaranchal Kayaking Canoeing and Rafting Association and Kedarnath MLA, Manoj Rawat informed that more than fifty youngsters of Uttarakhand are working as Kayaking/Rafting guides in foreign countries. He said that local youths can become guides a and bring laurels for the country in the sporting events if these sports are promoted in unexplored areas of Rudraprayag.
The District Magistrate of Rudraprayag, Mangesh Ghildiyal said that river based adventure activities not only bring tourists and livelihood in the region but will also prepare a pool of youths who can be very helpful to district administration during the river-based search and rescue operations.
He added that with the motive of promoting Winter tourism in the region, the district administration is in the process of preparing an annual calendar of adventure activities and games in the region.
The District Magistrate informed that a mountain biking event and a trekking and camping event will be organised in the next week in the district.