A day after Tourism Department temporarily suspended rafting-related activities in Kashmir following death of three persons during rafting expeditions at Pahalgam in south Kashmir, stakeholders Friday said the tragic incidents, which were avoidable, have dented Kashmir image as a fast growing adventure tourism destination.
“Many places such as Rishikesh in Uttarakhand are known forriver rafting. Pahalgam was gradually emerging as fast water sports destinationbut all these efforts have gone in vain. The incidents (deaths) were completelyavoidable had the authorities put in place proper life saving mechanisms,” saidAthar Yameen, General Secretary, Travel Agents Society of Kashmir.
Over the years the Government has been keenness on promotionof adventure tourism to the extent that last year photographs of differentadventure sports made it to J&K Bank’s annual wall calendar.
However, tourism stakeholders said the deaths which tookplace in less than two weeks owing to capsizing of rafts has raised manyquestions. “Why were events of river rafting held without necessaryprecautionary measures? A thorough probe needs to be conducted and the guiltymust be brought to book,” said Yameen.
Tourism players said lack of modern equipment and lesstrained manpower were among the reasons for the tragedy. “The TourismDepartment on one hand does a lot of lip service about promotion of adventuresports but lacks men and machinery to promote it. We need proper equipment andwell-trained team of rescuers before we can claim to be world-renowned riverrafting and skiing destinations,” said another adventure sports lover.
“All stakeholders must get serious about safety ofparticipants in the adventurous sports,” said Rauf Tramboo who heads AdventureTour Operators Association of Kashmir.
Director Tourism Nisar Ahmad Wani said the Department hasroped in rafting experts to conduct a study of rivers, at both Pahalgam andSonamarg. “The experts will submit a technical report about nature of bothrivers in one week following which we will take a fresh call on resumption ofthe activity (rafting),” said Wani.