Rafting resumes, Kullu sees tourists influx
Abhinav Vashisht
Kullu, September 24
Tourists have started enjoying rafting in the Beas as operators have resumed their services. The ban was imposed on rafting following the rainy season which was lifted on September 15.
The footfall has started to gain pace in the tourist destinations of the district as the guidelines to enter the borders have been relaxed. Rafting and other adventure sports are a major attraction amongst the tourists.
The tourists are taking rides in the rivers at Pirdi, Babeli and Raison rafting points. Ashok, Mohit and Vishal from Punjab said they enjoyed river rafting. Amit, a tourist from Delhi, said he had been planning to visit Kullu Manali from a long time, but could not come here due to the Covid-19 outbreak. He said he was exhausted working from home and had come on a vacation to relax with his family. He added that rafting was a unique and an adventurous experience.
Seema from Haryana said they enjoyed their trip to Manali. She said river rafting was a thrilling experience. Ashok, who came from Mumbai, said they did rafting from Babeli to Bashing, and it was a memorable journey.
Krishan Chand, District Tourism Development Officer (DTDO), Kullu, said, “There are 363 rafts registered with the Tourism Department, including 198 in Babeli, 134 in Pirdi and 31 in Raison. As many as 288 guides are registered through 93 agencies, including 53 in Babeli, 28 in Pirdi and 12 in Raison. Rafting provides employment to a large number of local youth.”
The rafting operators said they were following the guidelines issued by the government. They said the Tourism Department had recently inspected their equipment and renewed their licenses. They were hopeful that their business would improve with the increasing tourist footfall in the valley. “We have suffered a heavy loss due to the pandemic. Now, we hope that we will be able to earn our livelihood,” they said.
