Water Sports Await the Arrival of Rains

Chettalli, June 26: Known for its natural beauty, lush green hills, dense forests and raging rivers, white water rafting activities, a major attraction of adventure tourism in Kodagu district, are waiting for rains this time.

Last time, the monsoon started in May. But this time, although the monsoon has started, the water flow in the rivers has not increased to its full extent due to the lack of expected rainfall. As a result, tourism and rafting owners are looking forward to good rains.

Dubare near Kushalnagar, Barapole (KKR) in South Kodagu and Kumaradhara near Somwarpet, which have grown into major tourist attractions for adventure water sports tourism, attract thousands of adventure-loving tourists every year. This water adventure sport provides a thrilling experience, especially during the monsoon season when the water flow in the rivers increases.

A total of 61 rafting owners are operating in the three major water adventure centers of the district. There are 55 rafting owners in the Dubare area, with a total of 84 rafts, including 29 double rafts and 26 single rafts, ready for operation. In the Barapole area, four owners have a total of 24 rafts, each with 6 rafts. Two owners are operating in Kumaradhara, with 4 rafts and four kayaks available. In addition, skilled rafters from the local and Dandeli region are arriving and making preparations.

Although a total of 114 rafts and 4 kayaks are ready to attract tourists in the three centers, activities have not been fully accelerated due to the lack of sufficient water flow in the rivers.

White water rafting is not just an adventure sport. It is an important part of the district's tourism economy. Hundreds of youth have been employed depending on rafting activities, and during the rainy season, it will be a source of income for homestays, resorts, hotels, transportation, and local traders. With the increase in the number of tourists, tourism activities in the district will also get a new lease of life.

While rafting in the Cauvery River in Dubare

attracts tourists arriving with their families, the fast rapids of the Barapole River offer an exciting experience to adventure lovers. Water adventure sports have also been showing good momentum in Kumaradhara in recent years. Meanwhile, the Tourism Department has given the necessary permission for rafting activities. Tourists are not coming without the Dubare Elephant Camp.

The public was banned from entering the elephant camp due to the recent death of a woman and a calf in an elephant fight in Dubare. Due to this, the number of tourists in Dubare has decreased significantly. Will tourists come for white water rafting due to heavy rain?

“This time too, permission has been given to conduct white water rafting. It has been advised to follow safety measures. Activities will intensify further after the water flow in the rivers increases,” said Shashidhar H., Deputy Director of the Tourism Department. The water flow required for conducting white water sports is not at the expected level. Only if there is good rain, it will be possible to provide a safe and exciting experience to tourists. Therefore, we are waiting for rain, says Monnanda Viju, Director of Dubare River Rafting Associations.

Rafting organizer of Barapole, Chattangada Somanna, says that rafting can be conducted in Barapole only if the rainfall increases and the water flow increases. If the monsoon accelerates and there is good rain in the coming days, the water flow in the rivers will increase, and water adventure sports in Kodagu will flourish again. For now, the district's adventure tourism sector is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the rains.

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