DODA, FEBRUARY 22: The four-day 6th National Rafting Championship, titled “The Ultimate River Battle,” concluded with a grand closing ceremony at Shibnote (Premnagar) in Doda district today.
The ceremony was attended by Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, DDC Chairperson Doda Dhananter Singh Kotwal, Municipal Commissioner Jammu Devansh Yadav, Deputy Commissioner Doda Harvinder Singh, Deputy Commissioner Reasi Kumar Abhishek, Director Tourism Jammu Vikas Gupta, SSP Doda Sandeep Kumar, along with senior officers from various departments, representatives of the Rafting Federation J&K, SDRF J&K teams, Chenab Rescue teams, municipal officials, locals, and visiting tourists.
Addressing the gathering, the Divisional Commissioner congratulated all participating teams and commended the collective efforts of stakeholders in making the championship a resounding success. He praised the Directorate of Tourism for actively promoting adventure tourism in the Chenab Valley and reaffirmed the Government of Jammu & Kashmir’s commitment to strengthening tourism infrastructure across the Jammu Division.
Highlighting the region’s scenic wealth, he said destinations such as Guldanda, Bhaderwah, and Jai Valley possess natural beauty comparable to the Kashmir Valley. He noted that ongoing infrastructure projects, including new roads and tunnels, will enhance connectivity and significantly reduce travel time to these picturesque destinations. He also informed that 75 tourist destinations have been identified by the Directorate of Tourism, several of which are located in Doda and Bhaderwah, where new events and tourism initiatives will be introduced.
Emphasizing youth empowerment, he encouraged the promotion of local culture, folk dances, and traditional music to provide platforms for young talent while generating employment opportunities. He congratulated the BSF men’s and women’s teams for securing top honours and appreciated the role of police and security agencies in ensuring the smooth conduct of the event.
DDC Chairperson Dhananter Singh Kotwal lauded the District Administration Doda for successfully hosting large-scale events and promoting adventure tourism. He highlighted that 31 new roads have been inaugurated in recent months, improving rural connectivity and benefiting local communities. He urged the Directorate of Tourism to organize more such events during the summer season and expressed gratitude to security forces for their support.
Director Tourism Jammu Vikas Gupta thanked the District Administration Doda and all stakeholders for the seamless organization of the championship. He stated that while the previous five rafting championships were held in Reasi, hosting the sixth edition in Doda marked a significant expansion of adventure tourism across the Chenab region. He encouraged local youth interested in rafting to connect with the Directorate of Tourism for necessary permissions and institutional support.
He further announced that the Sarthal Winter Festival and the Shibnote Rafting Championship will be incorporated into the official tourism calendar. Upcoming tourism projects in Guldanda and Padri, along with a proposed Winter Carnival in Guldanda, were also highlighted as key initiatives to boost regional tourism.
During the ceremony, dignitaries distributed mementos and cash prizes to winners of the marathon and sprint rafting events who secured first, second, and third positions.
Earlier in the day, the Divisional Commissioner, DDC Chairperson, Municipal Commissioner Jammu, Deputy Commissioners of Doda and Reasi, Director Tourism, SSP Doda, and other dignitaries undertook a rafting expedition from Shibnote (Premnagar) to Karara, covering approximately 15 kilometres and showcasing the immense adventure tourism potential of the Chenab River stretch.
The championship, held from February 19 to 22, 2026, was organized by the Directorate of Tourism Jammu in collaboration with the District Administration Doda. It attracted participants and adventure enthusiasts from across Jammu & Kashmir and other parts of the country.
A vibrant musical programme was also organized in Bhaderwah by the Directorate of Tourism in collaboration with the District Administration Doda, adding a cultural highlight to the four-day celebration.
