Water sports trials begin in Una village

Our Correspondent

UNA, SEPTEMBER 16

The trials for the adventure water sports activities in the Gobind Sagar lake on the Sutlej near Androli village in Una district began today. Motorboats, kayaks, water scooters and e-hydrofoil surf boards were tested by experts from the Water Sports Centre at the Pong Dam.

The six-day trials will end on September 21 during which some more equipment will also be tested and displayed. The promotion of the adventure sports in and around the lake is being undertaken under the aegis of the Kutlehar Tourism Development Society, constituted under the chairmanship of the Una DC.

The Bhakra Beas Management Board has issued the no-objection certificate and also notified water sports routes in the reservoir. Besides, the State Tourism and Civil Aviation Department had permitted and notified water and paragliding sports activities in the region.

Last month, instructors from the Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali, had conducted paragliding sorties from the Solasingi mountain range of Kutlehar and notified two launch sites at Piplu and Gharvasada villages, besides two landing spots in the valley.

Kutlehar MLA and Agriculture Minister Virender Kanwar, who was present to witness the water sports trials, said water sports and paragliding would be launched soon and basic infrastructure to sustain week-end tourism be created initially.

Kanwar said Kutlehar did not have any big industries and the hills provided fewer opportunities for agriculture, adding that tourism would boost economy of the locals.