Adventure water sports trials conclude in Gobind Sagar lake

Our Correspondent

Una, September 23

The week-long trials of adventure water sports in the Gobind Sagar lake near Androuli village in the Kutlehar Assembly segment concluded yesterday. Speed motor boats, kayaks, water scooters and e-hydrofoils were tested and showcased to the public during the trial by instructors and experts from the Pong Dam water sports centre and the state Fisheries Department.

The Bhakra Beas Management Board and the state Tourism Department recently gave their consent to the development of the Andrauli bank of the lake and its use for water sports activities. A ‘Kutlehar Tourism Development Society’ (KTDS) was constituted under the chairmanship of the Una Deputy Commissioner which would be responsible for organising tourism development activities in Kutlehar.

Successful paragliding sorties from Garvasada and Piplu villages atop the high Solasingi mountain ranges in Kutlehar were conducted in July this year and consequently, the Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali, had notified the launch and landing sites for paragliders.

Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Virender Kanwar, who was present at Androuli, said the Forest Department was identifying trekking routes into the dense forests of Kutlehar, which would be notified shortly, allowing tourists to see and feel the nature from a close range.

Kanwar said ‘haats’ would be set up at vantage locations for locals and members of women self-help groups to showcase their products. Besides, some stalls would also be allotted to locals to prepare and serve authentic local cuisine to tourists, he added.