More than 100 paddlers from all over the world took part in the sixth edition of the Chaliyar River Paddle that concluded at Beypore on Sunday.
The three-day journey covering 68 km through the Chaliyar was organised by Jellyfish Water Sports Club, Cheruvannur, with the help of the Department of Tourism. The event was organised with an aim to create awareness about pollution in the river.
Commander Abhilash Tomy, the naval officer noted for his round-the-world trip on a sail boat a few years ago; Stand-up paddle athlete Tanvi Jagadeesh and sailing champion Shweta Shervegar besides District Collector S. Sambasiva Rao and Port Officer Ashwini Prathap had taken part in the journey that started from Nilmabur on September 20.
CEO of the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society Manesh Bhaskar was the guest of honour at the concluding ceremony on Sunday.
There were many experienced paddlers as well as amateurs in the group including 6-year-old Naijal Poovancheri from Kottakkal and 57-year-old George Mayer from Germany.
The group collected waste that were accumulated in many parts of the river during the journey and let the local people as well as people’s representatives know about it.
Koushik Kodithodika, founder of Jelly Fish, said that the non-biodegradable waste collected from the river would be sent for recycling.
Awareness classes were held for students in schools aolngside the Chaliyar on the need to protect the river as part of the programme.