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Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board holds river rafting season
The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board organized the inaugural ceremony for the 2026-27 River Rafting Season on September 23, 2026, in Shivpuri, Rishikesh.
The event was presided over by Principal Secretary, Planning, Uttarakhand Government, Meenakshi Sundaram, and Secretary, Tourism, Dhiraj Singh Garbyal. Rafting licenses were formally distributed to all registered rafting firms in the state.
This event is not merely a formal launch, but an important initiative towards streamlining and standardizing the state's adventure tourism industry. The license distribution will ensure orderly and safe rafting activities on rivers such as the Ganga, Kali, Tons, Gori, Kosi, Alaknanda, Pindar, Saryu, Ramganga (Eastern and Western), Bhagirathi, and Dhauliganga. This initiative is a concrete step towards promoting entrepreneurship and employment generation by connecting local youth with adventure tourism in the mountainous regions of the state.
On this occasion, Principal Secretary Planning, Meenakshi Sundaram said – "This launch of the rafting season is an important effort to bring discipline and professionalism to the adventure tourism sector of the state. Strengthening the licensing system will not only ensure the safety of tourists but will also create new employment opportunities at the local level." Tourism Secretary Dhiraj Singh Garbyal said, "The rafting licenses distributed today mark a new beginning for the state's rafting firms. This initiative will strengthen safety standards, provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for the state's youth, and establish adventure tourism as a disciplined and reliable industry. Previously, the department, in collaboration with Hanifl Centre and Aerie Backcountry Medicine (ABM), USA, launched an international-level Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR training program to enhance the safety capabilities of rafting guides. A total of 700 guides are to be trained in a phased manner. This license distribution initiative is a further step in that direction."
It is noteworthy that this is not a separate or single step, but part of a series of steps being taken by the department to gradually make the adventure tourism sector safe, structured, and standardized. From connecting rafting guides with international-standard emergency medical training to streamlining firms' license renewal processes, the department is continuously working to make Uttarakhand a model state for safety and professionalism in the field of adventure tourism.
In this vein, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board has also developed a Tourist Guide Portal, where trained guides can obtain their digital certification and identity cards, and their training and work details are stored in one place. More than 300 river rafting guides have registered on this portal, and new guides are joining daily. Soon, this portal will also provide tourists with direct contact and booking facilities with guides.
The District Magistrate of Tehri Garhwal district, Senior Superintendent of Police, Divisional Forest Officer Narendra Nagar Tehri, along with officials from the Ganga River Rafting Management Committee (GNR) and other related departments were also present at the event.
It is noteworthy that under the provisions of Uttarakhand River Rafting/Kayaking Rules-2014 (as amended), all registered rafting firms have been granted temporary permission for 45 days from 23.09.2026, under which the firms will be able to obtain permanent permission by following the prescribed procedure and paying the fees.
This event reflects the commitment of Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board towards realizing the resolution of 'Developed Uttarakhand' and establishing the tourism sector as a powerful medium for employment and self-employment generation.
The event was presided over by Principal Secretary, Planning, Uttarakhand Government, Meenakshi Sundaram, and Secretary, Tourism, Dhiraj Singh Garbyal. Rafting licenses were formally distributed to all registered rafting firms in the state.
This event is not merely a formal launch, but an important initiative towards streamlining and standardizing the state's adventure tourism industry. The license distribution will ensure orderly and safe rafting activities on rivers such as the Ganga, Kali, Tons, Gori, Kosi, Alaknanda, Pindar, Saryu, Ramganga (Eastern and Western), Bhagirathi, and Dhauliganga. This initiative is a concrete step towards promoting entrepreneurship and employment generation by connecting local youth with adventure tourism in the mountainous regions of the state.
On this occasion, Principal Secretary Planning, Meenakshi Sundaram said – "This launch of the rafting season is an important effort to bring discipline and professionalism to the adventure tourism sector of the state. Strengthening the licensing system will not only ensure the safety of tourists but will also create new employment opportunities at the local level." Tourism Secretary Dhiraj Singh Garbyal said, "The rafting licenses distributed today mark a new beginning for the state's rafting firms. This initiative will strengthen safety standards, provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for the state's youth, and establish adventure tourism as a disciplined and reliable industry. Previously, the department, in collaboration with Hanifl Centre and Aerie Backcountry Medicine (ABM), USA, launched an international-level Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR training program to enhance the safety capabilities of rafting guides. A total of 700 guides are to be trained in a phased manner. This license distribution initiative is a further step in that direction."
It is noteworthy that this is not a separate or single step, but part of a series of steps being taken by the department to gradually make the adventure tourism sector safe, structured, and standardized. From connecting rafting guides with international-standard emergency medical training to streamlining firms' license renewal processes, the department is continuously working to make Uttarakhand a model state for safety and professionalism in the field of adventure tourism.
In this vein, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board has also developed a Tourist Guide Portal, where trained guides can obtain their digital certification and identity cards, and their training and work details are stored in one place. More than 300 river rafting guides have registered on this portal, and new guides are joining daily. Soon, this portal will also provide tourists with direct contact and booking facilities with guides.
The District Magistrate of Tehri Garhwal district, Senior Superintendent of Police, Divisional Forest Officer Narendra Nagar Tehri, along with officials from the Ganga River Rafting Management Committee (GNR) and other related departments were also present at the event.
It is noteworthy that under the provisions of Uttarakhand River Rafting/Kayaking Rules-2014 (as amended), all registered rafting firms have been granted temporary permission for 45 days from 23.09.2026, under which the firms will be able to obtain permanent permission by following the prescribed procedure and paying the fees.
This event reflects the commitment of Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board towards realizing the resolution of 'Developed Uttarakhand' and establishing the tourism sector as a powerful medium for employment and self-employment generation.
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