Chitwan: The 50th International Whitewater Rafting and Kayaking Festival and the 24th Himalayan Whitewater Challenge concluded on the Trishuli River on March 12, highlighting Nepal’s growing potential for adventure and river-based tourism.
The three-day competition, organized to promote water tourism, featured several rafting and kayaking events where top athletes competed in different categories.
In the Kayak Mandatory Run, Ravindra Chepang secured first place and won a cash prize of Rs 100,000. Dammar Bahadur Purbachhane finished second, followed by Jason Gurung in third place and Rabin Gurung in fourth.
In the Kayak Sprint event, Jason Gurung claimed first position, while Ravindra Chepang came second, Keshav Gharti Magar third, and Krishna Khadka fourth.
Meanwhile, Dammar Bahadur Purbachhane secured first place in the Kayak Cross competition, followed by Rabindra Chepang, Surendra Chepang, and Mohan Rana in second, third and fourth positions respectively.
In the 10-kilometre raft race, Paddle Nepal clinched the title and received a cash prize of Rs 50,000. Jaldevi Adventure finished second, Nepal Kayak Club third, and Rafting Adventure Nepal fourth among the 11 participating teams.
During the closing ceremony, Himalayan Exploration, recognized as the pioneer of water tourism in Nepal, was specially honoured for its contribution to the sector.
The ceremony was attended by Ram Prasad Sapkota, Vice President of the Nepal Tourism Board, Senior Director Hikmat Singh Ayre, Senior Manager Uday Bhattarai, Senior Officer Pradeep Basnet, President of the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies Kamal Thakuri, former president Ganga Prasad Nepal, and Chandra Bahadur Dahal, among others.
Speaking at the event, former NARA President Chandra Bahadur Dahal said the festival, with its 50-year history, has become an important platform for promoting river-based tourism. He stressed the need to develop a dedicated river tourism policy while protecting the Trishuli River corridor from Baireni to Narayangadh.
Senior Director Hikmat Singh Ayre emphasized the importance of increasing international participation and noted that joint efforts are needed to establish Nepal as a world-class destination for whitewater rafting and kayaking.
Similarly, NTB Vice President Ram Prasad Sapkota highlighted tourism as a key driver of employment and national development, noting Nepal’s strong potential to become a hub for adventure tourism. He also underscored the need for proper legal frameworks, safety standards and river conservation for the sustainable development of the rafting sector.
NARA President Kamal Thakuri congratulated the winning athletes and stressed the importance of protecting rivers. He warned that unchecked exploitation of rivers could threaten Nepal’s natural heritage and noted that river tourism supports the livelihoods of thousands of people.
According to NARA General Secretary Chunamani Aryal, the international competition has helped further promote Nepal’s adventure tourism while drawing attention to the urgent need for river conservation.
