Rafting may fall overboard in rapids of dam projects
Business worth Rs 60 crore, at least 4,000 jobs and the priceless thrill of white-water rafting are at stake with the on-going construction of two dams on the river Alakananda and Ganga. Damming the Ganga upstream from Shivpuri, as well as diversions resulting from the massive dam at Tehri, has impacted the flow of water to the 24-km stretch. If the construction work continues and further tunnels and barrages are opened, some of the country's most popular rapids will be transformed into little more than tepid pools.
The first to fall overboard will be the 40-odd adventure firms that organise rafting expeditions. Says Ajeet Bajaj, president of the Adventure Sports Association of India: "The professional stretch on the Alakananda river has reduced considerably making rafting difficult. There is also a clear danger that the Shivpuri area could become unviable with two new dams coming up upstream and on tributaries. This is a pity because the Ganga is the best rafting river in India and now firmly on the world rafting map."
Explaining their predicament, one operator with two of the several camps that dot the Shivpuri shoreline says, "What dams do is reduce the flow of the river at times when reservoirs are filled and make it too deep at other points when water is released. In both cases, the two dams could make the stretch unviable and shorten-or even curtail-the rafting season."
However, the government does not seem to share the anxiety of the tourism industry. Says Indu Pandey, additional chief secretary, Uttarakhand, who also heads the state's tourism department: "Yes, dams are coming up on the rivers. These are run-of-the-river dams and are not going to affect the flow significantly. I think the industry can live with these dams and should not panic."
Business worth Rs 60 crore, at least 4,000 jobs and the priceless thrill of white-water rafting are at stake with the on-going construction of two dams on the river Alakananda and Ganga. Damming the Ganga upstream from Shivpuri, as well as diversions resulting from the massive dam at Tehri, has impacted the flow of water to the 24-km stretch. If the construction work continues and further tunnels and barrages are opened, some of the country's most popular rapids will be transformed into little more than tepid pools.
The first to fall overboard will be the 40-odd adventure firms that organise rafting expeditions. Says Ajeet Bajaj, president of the Adventure Sports Association of India: "The professional stretch on the Alakananda river has reduced considerably making rafting difficult. There is also a clear danger that the Shivpuri area could become unviable with two new dams coming up upstream and on tributaries. This is a pity because the Ganga is the best rafting river in India and now firmly on the world rafting map."
Explaining their predicament, one operator with two of the several camps that dot the Shivpuri shoreline says, "What dams do is reduce the flow of the river at times when reservoirs are filled and make it too deep at other points when water is released. In both cases, the two dams could make the stretch unviable and shorten-or even curtail-the rafting season."
However, the government does not seem to share the anxiety of the tourism industry. Says Indu Pandey, additional chief secretary, Uttarakhand, who also heads the state's tourism department: "Yes, dams are coming up on the rivers. These are run-of-the-river dams and are not going to affect the flow significantly. I think the industry can live with these dams and should not panic."
1 comment:
River rafting is one of the most enjoyable and exciting activities that adventure loving people can experience. If you are an adventurous person, you should go on a river rafting trip. You can enjoy a safe river rafting experience by utilizing the support of an experienced and skillful guide. This can be very helpful especially if you are river rating for the first time.
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