Bhaderwah: The New Emerging Destination for Adventure loving tourists.

BY: RAMNEEK MANHAS PUBLISHED ON MARCH 14, 2021

The tourism industry in Bhaderwah is emerging as one of the fastest-growing industries in the hilly Doda district of Jammu region.

Bhadarwah offers so many challenging activities like Mountain Climbing, Para Gliding, Skiing, Camping, Rock Climbing and Trekking to the tourists. One more adventurous activity of ‘White River Rafting’ has been added to the list for the tourists visiting this area.

Recently district Administration Doda headed by District Development Commissioner, Dr. Sagar D. Doifode IAS and DDC Chairman Koushal Kotwal inaugurated the two day’s ‘Mega White River Rafting Festival’ on river Chenab at Shibnote (Prem Nagar,Thathri).

Thathri is a town and a notified area committee in Doda district in Jammu and Kashmir UT and situated at the foothills of the Himalayas on the banks of the famous Chenab River has ample forests and many small streams flowing through its various parts. This section of Chenab is among the best rafting stretches in world which offers grade 1-3 rafting features.

The maiden White River Rafting Festival held on March 05 and 06 this year, was organised by Bhaderwah Development Authority (BDA) and JK Adventures jointly to promote adventure tourism in this mountainous region. More than 1500 people across the district, especially belonging to the younger generation attended this mega festival and more than 150 participants participated in the rafting trip. Besides river rafting, the district administration also organised multifarious programs and activities at the venue with the participation of the locals which include Volleyball matches, Free Style Wrestling, Kabaddi and Dance performances.

The District Administration extended full financial and moral support for capacity building and training programmes to make this event a successful one. In addition, the administration in its guidelines for Basic Minimum Standards for Adventure Tourism related activities has identified the following categories of adventure tourism viz. water and air based activities which include Mountaineering, Trekking and Para Gliding. Safety-precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incidents are under the purview of Administration.

Speaking to reporters on this occasion Dr. Sagar D. Doifode IAS, District Development Commissioner Doda said: “Seeing this kind of overwhelming response from the people, it will be made a routine affair in the upcoming days also for the enjoyment and employment of the people especially young generation”

While Speaking to J&K Reporter the Dy. Commissioner said: “There is a lot of potential for adventure tourism in the region, besides White River Rafting, Paragliding can also be included and we are trying our level best to promote adventure tourism in the region with the help of experts and locals.” he added.

Dr. Rajinder Kumar Khajuria (KAS) Chief Executive Officer Bhaderwah Development Authority (BDA) told J&K Reporter: “It was an amazing experience to organise such a beautiful event on river Chenab. The tourism of the district especially the tourism of Bhaderwah would get further boost”.

Sachin Singh Sambyal founder and CEO of JK Adventures said: “I am thankful to DC Doda Dr. Sagar D. Doifode for providing an opportunity to JK Adventures for hosting river rafting in Chenab for the first time for the residents of Doda and for organising such a beautiful event. JK Adventures is on mission mode to promote Adventure tourism in Bhaderwah and Doda”. “As desired by DC Doda we are now going to organize Rafting on weekends from Shibnote to Karara in Premnagar. We are also exploring the feasibility of other Adventure activities in this region “he added.

This Mega White River Rafting Festival reflects the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi wherein he urged people to visit at least 15 tourist destinations within India by 2022 while addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 73rd Independence Day in 2019. It is pertinent to mention that this region has a huge potential for tourism activities but due to apathetic attitude of previous state governments this region has been purposefully neglected.

By organizing such events the saying ‘Der Aaye Durust Aaye’ seems to be true today. It is hoped that the good work will be continued in future also.

Facts to Know
White Water Rafting season: October to March
Nearest Airport: Jammu
Nearest Railway Station: Udhampur
Distance from Jammu: 180km (approximately)
Distance from Udhampur 120km (approximately) Condition of Road: Good
Stay: preferably Homestay and Guest Houses.