Whitewater rafting potential in Nepal n

Tourism expedites capital flows to a country and helps increase its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Consequently, there is an improvement in the per capita income of the country. Nepal can earn a lot of money by providing more outdoor recreations so that even few tourists could contribute more money. Hence, optimum tourism potential has to be exploited by rendering excellent recreation facilities to boost quality tourism which enhance foreign exchange, strengthens the balance of payment and  Controls the negative impact of  Uncontrolled mass tourism. White water rafting, which was initiated by Sir Edmund Hillary in Nepal in 1968 in Sunkoshi River, has now become popular among many tourists coming from different parts of the world. Consequently, several rafting agents have been set up in the country for rendering services to tourists.

In Nepal, there are many rivers where can be carried out throughout the year. However, till now, white water rafting is carried out only ten months a year. The rivers permitted for rafting are Arun, Bheri, Karnali, Kaligandaki, Seti, Sunkoshi, Trishuli, Marsyangdi and Bhotekoshi. Of these, Trishuli and Sunkoshi are mostly used for rafting. Despite the possibility of rafting in Budigandaki, Rapti and Dudhkoshi, they have not been permitted for Rafting by the government as yet. Till now, only some private agencies have made some publicity about white water rafting in Nepal. However, this is not sufficient. If there is a wide publicity about the above-mentioned rivers through different communication media, that there will be a quantum jump in the number of rafters coming to Nepal every year, resulting in more foreign exchange.

Many foreign entrepreneurs engaged have earned a lot of money involving in white water rafting business in Nepal. Nepal Association of Rafting Agent (NARA) has raised voice against it to encourage indigenous entrepreneurs involved in white water rafting and to inhabit capital outflow. The government should take a positive attitude towards the request put forth by tourism entrepreneurs, who are directly responsible for tourism development. Tourism entrepreneurs should understand well that pressing a long list of things to do will not help flourish our tourism industry.