While Karnataka is all geared up to welcome whitewater rafting enthusiasts in the monsoon, it is important that adventure activities are conducted in a way that minimises risks and yet provides the benefits of participation, say experts.

Enjoying whitewater rafting in Dandeli, Karnataka / Jungle Lodges & Resorts

With the monsoon in full swing, Karnataka is all geared up to welcome tourists and adventure enthusiasts to experience the thrills of whitewater rafting. As you raft through gushing waters surrounded by dense jungles, you are transported into a world of roaring rapids with sprays of pristine white water and treated to glimpses of wildlife on some stretches of the river.

Adrenaline junkies can head to the stretch adjacent to the Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu on the River Cauvery and some stretches of the Kali river at Dandeli. The highlight of the season is the 1.5-hour whitewater rafting adventure on the roaring Barapole river, which originates in the Brahmagiri hills and flows towards the Arabian Sea. Rafting enthusiasts can navigate a 4.5 km stretch of the river featuring four iconic rapids with thrilling sections reaching up to Class 4 difficulty level for a duration of four months.

Another rafting destination is Bheemeshwari set on the banks of the Cauvery in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary. Plans are on the anvil to resume rafting in Seethanadi, a swift Western Ghats river known for its challenging rapids and stunning scenery during the monsoon. The run on this powerful river passes through thick evergreen forests that form part of the Western Ghats in the Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary and the Kudremukh National Park. Rafting on this brilliant 22 km stretch takes four hours to complete.

Streamlining rafting operations

The recently constituted River Rafting Management and Monitoring Committee of Kodagu district has stressed the need for enforcing stringent safety protocols to prevent mishaps during this high-risk adventure activity. The committee has urged all rafting operators in Kodagu district to compulsorily obtain and renew the fitness certificates for their rafts before launching any water-based adventure activity.

The mandatory certification, which must be renewed annually, is issued by the General Thimayya National Academy of Adventure (GETHNAA), a government of Karnataka enterprise for the promotion of adventure sports in the state.

“It is important that adventure activities are conducted in a way that minimises risks and yet provides the benefits of participation. Karnataka Tourism has laid down some guidelines that include obtaining necessary licenses and certifications from relevant authorities and ensuring compliance with safety standards,” says Major General (retired) MN Devaya, advisor to GETHNAA.

Listing the items that are essential for rafting, he adds, “Firmly secured life jackets, crash helmets, rescue floats with unreeling nylon lines, first-aid emergency kit, detailed instructions to the rafters, and an attendant kayak or raft for emergency assistance are mandatory for rafting activity. GETHNAA also has a training centre at Barapole.”

Explaining the measures taken by the committee, Venkat Raja, IAS, Deputy Commissioner (DC), Kodagu district, says, “The committee has taken up the responsibility of upgrading basic infrastructure at rafting sites to improve the tourist experience and enhance safety. Other measures included installation of shelters at the ticket counters, hand railing on the steps, changing rooms for guides, benches, provision of drinking water, toilets, CCTV surveillance, and directional signboards to rafting sites at strategic junctions.”

There are 47 raft operators functioning in the 7 km stretch in Dubare and four operators in the 4.5 km stretch in Barapole. “All the rafts are numbered for authenticity and easy identification. To prevent unhealthy competition, the pricing is flexible and monitored by the committee. Another encouraging factor is the involvement of the local populace, especially tribal residents, in the rafting operations,” adds the DC.

In Dandeli, Jungle Lodges & Resorts (JLR) is the only reliable organisation to conduct white water rafting. “The rafting operations that are currently suspended will resume after the monsoon in September/October. We have outsourced our rafting operations in the Kali river in Dandeli to Manasa Adventures, a professionally experienced adventure company. Strict safety guidelines are adhered to with professional river guides. We have perfected our standing as a whitewater rafting destination with highly qualified river guides and proper equipment,” says Prashanth Shankhinamath, IFS, Managing Director, JLR.

Need for stringent monitoring

Noting that there are many unauthorised rafting operators in Dandeli, Vaibhav Kamat of Jungle County, Dandeli, says, “This has led to protocol breach, which raises concerns over safety. As there is a mad rush during weekends, some of the operators overload the rafts, flouting all safety norms. Crowd control is also woefully lacking and overcrowding can lead to accidents. Some operators send visitors into rafts without safety gear such as life-jackets as they do not have the professional knowledge to operate the services. So there is a dire need for the state administration to monitor these operations.”

Urging a crackdown on illegal operators, he adds, “The safety standards and procedures followed by rafting organisations, including the availability of qualified guides and proper equipment, should be monitored. Action should be initiated against operators for violations. The permission process for raft owners should also be made more stringent.”

It is high time that Karnataka Tourism conducted a safety audit of all the river rafting destinations in Karnataka. This will help identify potential hazards and deficiencies in safety protocols. A social audit should also be conducted to examine the impact of rafting activities on local communities and the environment. This includes assessing benefits like opportunities for locals as well as potential negative impact such as environmental damage, social disruption, and cultural insensitivity. The impact of rafting on local businesses should be assessed.

An environmental impact study of rafting activities is imperative too to assess the impact on river banks, the river ecosystem, vegetation, and wildlife habitats. The effectiveness of waste management practices at rafting sites and the impact on the surrounding areas should be evaluated. The carrying capacity of rafting destinations and whether tourism is being managed sustainably should be determined.

Susheela Nair is an independent food, travel and lifestyle writer and photographer contributing articles, content and images to several national publications besides organising seminars and photo exhibitions. Her writings span a wide spectrum which also includes travel portals and guide books, brochures and coffee table books.

source: http://www.thenewsminute.com / The News Minute / Home> Karnataka / by Susheela Nair / edited by Vidya Sigamany / July 31st, 2025