 |
 |
|
|
Dehra Dun: Adventure sports, once almost unknown in India, have seen a spurt in popularity over the last few years. Besides paragliding, trekking and the like, river rafting and water sports have also grown as a tourist attraction among domestic and international visitors. It is said the great Ganga, the holy river, began its course from the beginning of time It flows through valleys, down Himalayan sides, in white, frothy torrents, at times raging and in the plains looking placid yet inherently powerful - and worshipped y the Hindus. Having crossed the raciest, fiercest part of its course in the Himalayas, the 24-mile stretch of rapids between Shivpuri and Kaudiyal in Uttaranchal state are ideal stages for a range of water sports, particularly river rafting. The state government has initiated efforts towards encouraging the sports. "We have tourists from all over the world - Germany, Austria, the US - coming here every season. The interest for river rafting and other adventure sports has also mounted within the country. We have seen a steady rise in numbers of domestic tourists participating in rafting and kayaking camps. Thanks to this change, we no longer have to depend on international tourists alone," said NN Prashad, Secretary, Tourism, Uttaranchal. A trekker's paradise Dharamsala: Trekkers are flocking to Himachal Pradesh, famous for its mountain ranges. The Dhauladhar ranges in particular have become a huge hit with tourists and climbers. The local economy thrives on the more than 100,000 tourists who trek the Himalayan ranges every year. "It (tourism) can provide many opportunities for the younger generation as well as travel agencies but only if the area is kept clean and garbage and waste materials are not thrown by people who come here for trekking because tourists only like coming to a place which is clean and well maintained," said Narendra Pathania, a travel agent. Trekkers, mostly from New Zealand, Australia and England reach Himachal Pradesh every year during the summers. Most of the trekking routes run between the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges and the trans-Himalayan areas of Lahaul, Spiti and Kinnaur. These mountains have more than 270 well-defined tracks for trekkers with huge oaks, cedars and pine dotting the routes. -ANI |
Previous Files
|
