White water Rafting at Pahalgam attracts tourists to Kashmir

Pahalgam, May 5 (ANI): White water-rafting is fast emerging as a popular sport in Jammu and Kashmir with tourists and adventure sport-lovers thronging Pahalgam town to enjoy the experience.

The aquatic adventure sport is attracting lot of domestic as well as international tourists.

"I have come here for the first time. People say that this place is like heaven and actually it is heaven. I enjoyed river-rafting and this is my first time. I am happy that I have done rafting here," said Kirti Gupta, a tourist

White water rafting in Pahalgam starts in the month of June, but the tourist rush this year has caused tour operators to take bookings much earlier.

"White water-rafting is the most attractive adventure sport here and since last year, some private agencies operating this commercial white water rafting. We started white water rafting last year in the month of June but this time because of advance season, we have started early, and as compared to last year, number of tourists is increasing day by day, and because of the early season we have started white water-rafting from 1st April," said Syed Talha, tourist officer.

Pahalgam used to have only 10-13 boats sailing along the ice-cold white waters of Lidder Nallah (stream), but now their number has touched 40-45 to cater to the needs of tourists interested in this adventure sport. (ANI)