Along with the popular elephant camp, the monsoon has brought in another treat for visitors of Dubare. With the heavy downpour, river rafting in the Cauvery resumed from June 15.

There are two river rafting routes – Dubare to Balugodu (7 km) and Dubare to Cauvery Nisargadhama (12 km), says Dubare Rafting Association secretary Nangaru Jagga. To avoid unhealthy competition and accidents, all the raft owners came together to form an association.

There are now nine owners with 29 rafts to run the operation. The association has also reserved 5 per cent of its income towards maintaining cleanliness, security and other facilities.

Helmet and safety jackets are provided to rafters who are accompanied by trained youths, he added.

Tourists from Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai and the state who visit the elephant camp were thrilled about river rafting.

Shilpa and Madhav from Bangalore told Express that they would never forget the exhilarating experience of riding the waves. Another team of youngsters said the experience had tested their mental and physical strength.

For more details call Nagaru Jagga at 94491 69916.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by ENS – Madikeri / July 01st, 2013