Bengaluru: After a 19-month Covidinduced Hiatus, Staterun Jungle Lodge and Resorts Ltd.
(JLR), last week, finally continued the rafting water sports which was very sought after in Ganeshgudi near Dandeli.
The 11km rafting journey has eight rapids and is a large draw among tourists.
Raft departs from Ganesh-Gudi, a tourist hub located on the river times in West Ghats, and reaches Mousiti.
RS 1,350 travel expenses per participant.
JLR currently assigns two operators.
Rafting began on October 7 and, so far, the two operators have done a total of 15 trips with more than 200 fans enjoying sports.
Sports are very dependent on the water that is released from the Hupung Dam.
JLR employees say tourist footsteps have seen a stable increase after rafting length continues, but they cannot provide the actual number.
They said the increase had great expectations of tour operators restoring losses incurred due to locking and restrictions.
Although some private operators offer a rafting trip 3 km and 4 km after restrictions are appointed, the state government does not allow JLR to continue water sports activities.
Dandeli is the only tourist center in South India that offers white water rafting, and people from all over the country trip to tourist destinations to pamper themselves in sports.
Appa Saheb Nadaf, a manager at Jlr, said the resort offered white water rafting for only four days because two days were spent in preparation.
Another day is lost because water is not released from the dam.
Nadaf said: “There are other sports such as boating, zipline, jacuzzi and water rollers including those offered,” he said.
“The hope is high because white water rafting starts for the first time after the pandemic struck.
Now, many people are about the average [compared to the pre-pandemic period], but we hope to increase on the weekend to come.” Rahul Bavaji, Homestay operators In Dandeli, said the return of white water rafting was a good sign for business.
“Many potential visitors ask about white water rafting.
JLR has done well to continue the business,” he said.