Nainital: Chief minister Harish Rawat on Sunday announced that the hill state would throw open its high altitude water bodies, including several lakes situated at a height of 4,000 to 5,000 m above sea level, for water sports activities.
He added that these Himalayan lakes, some of which were located in stunningly beautiful locations, would be developed for water sports like kayaking and rowing, besides other adventure tourism activities.
“We have the potential to promote adventure sports in several areas like undiscovered natural lakes in the moderate high altitude places like Bheemtal lake in Nainital district, Dodital in Uttarkashi district and Deoria tal near Ukhimath town in Rudraprayag district. But these beautiful water bodies need to be developed for adventure sports,” said Rawat.
Addressing a gathering near Mallital’s oldest boat club after inaugurating the newly-built sailing boat and rickshaw stand worth Rs 3.50 lakh, the CM said he has asked senior officials to identify the Himalayan lakes which could be developed to give impetus to water-sports-related activities.
Adventure sports lovers, as well as those engaged in the commercial aspects of such activites, welcomed the CM’s announcement. “This is a good move as it will boost adventure tourism-related activities and also prove financially viable for the state,” said a water sports organizer, Manoj Rawat.