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| CS kickstarts international rafting competition in Sindh | | | Early Times Reporter
Srinagar | July 16
Declaring open the 5th International Rafting Competition for river rafting in India, on the Sind River in Sonamarg (Kashmir), Chief Secretary Mr. S. S. Kapur said that the event would help in boosting adventure tourism in the state.
Kapur said that nature has bestowed the State, particularly Kashmir valley, with breath taking physical beauty, rapid rivers like Sindh which has tremendous potential for adventure tourism like rafting. He said that government is contemplating to harness this potential to the maximum which would help increase the influx of tourists into the state.
He described organizing of the first Kashmir Cup-2008 International Rafting Championship one of the major achievements of the State.
Asking the organizers to involve all the stakeholders in such type of events, Mr. Kapur said that their goodwill would make the event successful. He stressed organizing such competitions in other places like in river Chenab which too has vast potential for rafting. He said tourism is the biggest industry of the State which could boost the economy and lead to J&K's economic independence and development.
Exhorting the tourism department to follow the pattern of adventure tourism of Australia and Newzealand, he asked the officials to extend its scope to rural areas as well. He said there is tremendous scope for tourism industry in the entire State.
The Chief Secretary also asked on the concerned agencies to maintain cleanliness at the tourist places.
Secretary Tourism Mr. Nayeem Akhtar, who was also present on the occasion, said that the department is developing all places of tourism importance in the State. He said the Union Government is also providing all type of help and guidance in this regard. He said intra-state competitions like Para-gliding and rafting is being planned to organize at different places across the State.
The 4-day international championship is being jointly organized by the Indian Rafting Foundation and the Department of Tourism, Government of Jammu and Kashmir.
There are as many as sixteen teams participating in the tournament including three foreign teams. Besides, three women teams are also taking part. Foreign teams are from Czech (men and women) and Ukraine.
The Kashmir Cup-2008 will offer competitions in four broad championship categories - Sprint, Head to Head, Down River Race and Slalom. The competition will be for golden and silver category.
Among others, Secretary Culture, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Director Tourism (Kashmir) and Chief Executive Officer, Sonamarg Development Authority were present. |
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