Uttarakhand

• 24 Apr 2023

River Rafting Fare waived on all rivers except The Ganges

Why in News?

On 23 April 2023, Uttarakhand Tourism Secretary Sachin Kurve said that to promote river rafting and kayaking activities in the state, the state government has waived the river rafting fee for three years on all rivers except Ganga.

Key Points

• Sachin Kurve said that there is a lot of potential for river rafting under adventure tourism in the state. In view of this, the state government has given an exemption in fees for three years. This will also provide employment to the local people.
• For river rafting on the rivers, a fee is charged by the operators on behalf of the tourism department. Presently more than 526 river rafting guides are registered in the state. Tourists from all over the country and worldwide come to Rishikesh for river rafting in the Ganges. Rafting is done from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh.
• The state government has waived the fee for promoting river rafting on other state rivers and providing employment to the local people. This will encourage water sports activities in Bageshwar, Tanakpur, and Ramnagar region besides Kali, Saryu, Ramganga, Kosi, Tons, Yamuna, and Alaknanda rivers.