Growth Of Rafting In Kashmir

By Obaid Yousuf

Growth of Amateur Rafting:

The Amateur River Rafting was introduced in Kashmir province by the Directorate of Physical Education and Sports, University of Kashmir, Srinagar way back in 2000. After thorough scouting and exploration of upper reaches of Sindh stream, the University conducted training camps for its students on the stretch extending from Baltal to Shutkari with the grades of difficulty 1 to 4. Nearly 90 students were trained every year to this thrilling sport with the assistance of J&K Tourism Department. The University Grants Commission had allotted a Nodal Centre for development of adventure sports to Kashmir University which provided sufficient funds to the University for running river rafting. No doubt nearly 15 years back the Tourism Department arranged initial training for some of its Raft Guides here but the regular training courses were conducted by Kashmir University and did pioneering work in escalating the sport here. The University is now regularly participating in the National Rafting Championship organized by the River Runners Association of India and Indian Rafting Foundation on the treacherous waters of River Ganges, Indus, Zanaskar and Sutlej from time to time.

With the growth of this sport in Kashmir, some University students formed a voluntary association to develop and control it in J&K state in 2004 under the supervision of Dr. K.A. Tarzan, Director Sports, Kashmir University and Mr. Mohammad Yusuf, University Aquatics and Adventure Sports Coach. In the year 2005 a permanent body of the association was elected and in 2006 the association was recognized be the Indian Rafting Foundation, New Delhi. In 2008 a new executive body was elected with Mr. Farooq Shah, Director Tourism as its President and Mr. Ahsan-ul-Haq Banday as its General Secretary.

With the formation of state level association in Srinagar the University students (now the members of Association) got the opportunity to participate regularly in India Cup from 2004 to 2007, organized by the Indian Rafting Foundation on River Sutlej in Himachal Pradesh. In the year 2007 the Tourism Department organized first state Rafting Championship in collaboration with the Association on Lidder stream at Pahalgam. This gave a chance to large number of local rafters to participate in any championship. Nearly eight teams of different areas of the state took part.

It is highly appreciating that in 2005 the University team took part in National Rafting Championship held in river Zanaskar and Indus in Ladakh. This was the only civilian team in the championship; all others were from the forces. In 2006 the team, sponsored by the Association, took part in 3rd National Championship held on River Ganges at Rishikesh. The J&K team was declared the ‘Best Sporting team’. Again in 2007 the J&K team took part in 4th National Championship held in Leh, Ladakh. The J&K Police team, an affiliated Unit of the Association, performed extremely well in the championship and bagged 3rd position in the Head to Head event. Being the host state, the J&K is fielding four teams i.e. J&K Rafting Association (A and B teams), J&K Police and Tourism Department, in the present 1st Kashmir Cup International Rafting Championship to be held at Sonamarg in July 2008.

Advent of Commercial Rafting in Kashmir:

River Rafting is considered an important segment of adventure tourism. Day long or lesser period pleasure rafting rides are provided to the common tourists and enthusiasts on different rivers in several countries. Some expert companies even organize major rafting expeditions on more challenging rivers. The commercial rafting was conducting in many other Himalayan states of India like Himachal Pradesh, Utter Pradesh, West Bengal and Karnataka but this kind of rafting was not launched in J&K, though we have world best rivers here.

With a view to provide best recreation for the intended tourists the Highland Excursion Pvt. Ltd introduced commercial rafting on Lidder stream at Pahalgam, Kashmir in the 2004. The then Tourism Minister Jenab Ghulam Hassan Mir inaugurated this newly introduced adventure tourism product. He himself run down nearly 2 Km stretch and accepted that the river rafting has tremendous potential in the state. Next year one more company namely Karakoram Explorers started commercial rafting on Sindh Stream in Sonamarg, Kashmir. Jenab Ghulam Hassan Mir, Tourism Minister inaugurated the Sonamarg rafting as well. Today we have 13 commercial rafting companies in the valley which are operating rafting at different stretches on Sindh and Lidder streams. The list of those companies is as under:

1)  Highland Excursions Pvt Ltd, Srinagar

2)  Adventure Call Tours and Travels, Srinagar

3)  Holiday Adventures, Srinagar

4)  Possible Adventures, Srinagar

5)  Karakoram Explorers, Srinagar

6)  River and Rafts, Srinagar

7)  Snowman Adventures, Srinagar

8)  Arbat Travels, Anantnag

9)  Thrill Factor, Anantnag

10)  Mountain Magic Trek and Travels, Pahalgam

11)  Himalayan Tours, Pahalgam

12)  International Tours, Pahalgam

13)  Sheeshnag Tours, Pahalgam

Commercial rafting is growing fast in the valley but the mushroom growth of companies has caused saturation in the tr4ade. This year due to political developments the companies had tremendous loss. There is a need of introducing commercial rafting in other water bodies as well. The Tourism Department has to firmly control rafting as otherwise the non professional companies could bring ridicule to the sport.

Training Camps:

Besides Kashmir University, the Tourism Department (Kashmir) is now regularly organizing training camps for the local boys at different places in the state which include lower Jhelum (Uri), river Suru (Kargil) and Chinab (Derababa, Jammu). In order to popularize the sport among school going students the Biscoe group of Schools is also allowing its students for pleasure rafting trips.

Water Bodies suitable for Rafting in J&K State:

1)  Lidder stream at Pahalgam, Batakot and Kenner Kashmir

2)  Sindh Stream at Sonamarg, and Mamar, Kashmir

3)  Lower Jhelum, Uri, Kashmir

4)  River Kishenganga, Gurez, Kashmir

5)  River Chinab, Jammu

6)  River Drass, Drass, Kargil, Ladakh

7)  River Suru, Kargil, Ladakh

8)  River Indus, Leh, Ladakh

9)  River Zanaskar, Ladakh etc

Published in the Souvenir "Sindh" brought out by J&K Rafting Association in July 2008.