Rafting business in crisis due to hydropower project

CHITWAN, Feb 26: Stakeholders have expressed concern over the proposed Trishuli hydropower project inviting a crisis to the rafting business.

As preliminary work for the construction of the 100 MW Super Trishuli hydropower project to be built in Gandaki Rural Municipality-1 Battar in Gorkha and Ichchakamana-3 Chumkhola in Chitwan has started, people’s representatives, rafting entrepreneurs and river conservation activists took part in a public hearing held at Fisling of Ichchakamana Rural Municipality on Sunday.

On the occasion, Provincial Assembly member Krishna Silwal said that the environment and existence of rivers should not be put into danger in the name of development. He pledged to do his best to stop it.

Likewise, the President of the Nepal Rafting Association, Shiva Adhikari, said that the proposed hydroelectric project will put 84 companies related to the riverside rafting and boating business in a crisis. “Billions of investments in hotel business, rafting and other companies are in a crisis with the livelihood of 3,500 guides and 10,000 workers at stake,” he said.

Chair of Nepal River Conservation Trust Megh Aley said that the wealth of the nation which attracts many tourists should not be jeopardized. Development by drying up the river is unfortunate.

The Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA) had earlier protested saying that the entire investment of the rafting tourism industry is going to waste with the construction of hydroelectric projects.

Trishuli is one of the major rivers for rafting among the 16 different rivers that the government has permitted for rafting.