The state tourism department is planning to hold a plethora of adventure sports activities to create maximum sporting action in the Valley. These adventure sports includes events such as the “12th Tour de Kashmir rally” that would be flagged off from Pahalgam on October 3, Saturday. This event would see participation of 50 local and 50 national cyclists pedalling to win the title.
Even as some events such as an international river rafting championship to be held last month was postponed but tourism department is enthusiastic to hold this event next year.Ghulam Jeelani Zargar, deputy director Tourism said experts ruled out feasibility of any such event this year due to low water levels at Sonamarg. “We had members of International Rafting Federation who made an assessment that water level in Sindh Nallah has receded. We will now hold this championship next year,” Zargar said. Interestingly river rafting at Sonmarg has already been kick started at commercial level.
Paragliding at Pahalgam is also attracting sports loving tourists in large numbers. The tourism department has given a nod for this adventure sports activity while it is also planning to hold paragliding coaching at Doodhpathri in next 4-5 days said Zargar. “Paragliding coaching is being undertaken to improve local coaching manpower,” he said.
A national-level Canoe Polo championship would be held by the department later this month while a special emphasis this year shall be on winter sports as well. To attract climbers and mountaineers, a mountaineering expedition was recently held for the first time after 1989. “Indian Mountaineering Federation (IMF) had organized the expedition which was sponsored by tourism department. 15 participants climbed the Kolohai peak,” Zargar said.
There is also good news for those who like off roader car racing as Tourism Department is collaborating with the “Raid de Himalaya” car rally which will pass through Himachal, Leh, Kargil and reach Srinagar.
