Poor response to rafting at Nadaun

nesh Kanwar

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Hamirpur, November 7

Poor response to rafting at Nadaun has discouraged young entrepreneurs to take up rafting as a business proposition in Beas near Nadaun in the district.

Significantly, the state government had spent over Rs 28 lakh and organised a national rafting marathon at Nadaun about a month ago under the aegis of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation to promote rafting in Nadaun. The event was inaugurated by Forest Minister Rakesh Pathania and it was expected that the four-day rafting event would attract not only tourists to the town but also encourage local youth to adopt rafting as business proposition.

But unfortunately the efforts of the tourism corporation and the local administration to boost the activities including rafting and paragliding could not bear the desired fruit.

Ashok Kumar, a rafting enthusiast from Nadaun, said that after the championship was organized the rafting activity in the river was not encouraging. A few tourists were seen enjoying rafting occasionally but there was no regular rafting activity here.

Sachin Sood, who had rafting facility at Nadaun, said the town is now a new rafting destination and people would start coming here for rafting. He said that the sail up to Chamba Pattan takes over two hours and it was hectic. He said that he was working on reducing the length of the sail so that it could be made more enjoyable and attractive. The patience would be key to success here, he added.

Debashweta Banik, Deputy Commissioner, said that the National Rafting Marathon was a milestone in establishing Nadaun as new rafting destination. She said that the government had planned to add more facilities that would attract young entrepreneurs to take up rafting at Nadaun.