Commercial rafting launched on Mahakali river in Kanchanpur

Kanchanpur: Commercial rafting has officially begun on the Mahakali River from the Masetti area of Bhimdatta Municipality-9 in Kanchanpur.

The adventure rafting initiative was launched on Monday during Water Week, in collaboration with Needs Nepal, the Hoteliers Association, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Transport Committee, the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NATA), and other tourism entrepreneurs.

Bhavaraj Regmi, Executive Director of Needs Nepal, stated that a feasibility study of rafting was conducted under the Mahakali Multi-Use Project in 2017, and the activity was successfully tested in 2021. Although rafting had not been operational since then due to various reasons, it has now been launched commercially with the support of multiple organizations.

Currently, two rafting boats have been launched under Adrift Adventure Pvt. Ltd., with expectations of attracting more domestic and international tourists. Arrangements have been made for groups of five to ten people to purchase rafting packages. On the Indian side, rafting has been regularly operated by two companies since 2015.

Ramchandra Regmi, President of the Hoteliers Association Kanchanpur, highlighted that the private sector is ready to promote tourism in the region. Shiva Adhikari, outgoing President of the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies and a rafting entrepreneur with 25 years of experience on major rivers in Nepal, noted that the Mahakali River is suitable for tourists seeking low-risk and easy rafting experiences.

Local leaders have also pledged support for rafting tourism. Kishore Kumar Limbu, Mayor of Dodhara Chandani Municipality, expressed readiness to cooperate in the development and promotion of rafting, while Bhimdatta Municipality Mayor Padam Bogati stated that the municipality will provide additional support for promoting rafting and building necessary infrastructure.