Yamuna stretch to soon become kayaking hub

NEW DELHI: A stretch of the Yamuna, upstream of Wazirabad could soon become a kayaking and canoeing hub for the capital. The tourism department is now working with kayaking coaches from across the country to train local youths and kids in the sport. A tournament will be organised on October 23 to set the tone for such sporting activities in Delhi.

Upstream the Yamuna, the water is not just less polluted but has a lot of depth and a flow. According to tourism minister, Kapil Mishra, several kayaking and canoeing organisations have written to the government about the potential to develop the sport in Delhi.

Currently, the coaching is being done by the Border Security Force (BSF). "Professionals have told us that the Yamuna in Delhi is among the few places in north India where these sports can be conducted simply because the water is deep and calm. We are finalizing the details of how common people can be roped in for it. The idea is to use this part of the river effectively," added Mishra.

The 26-km stretch from Palla to Wazirabad provides Delhi its drinking water. It also has more biodiversity like aquatic plants, fish and turtles unlike the alarmingly polluted stretch downstream from Wazirabad to Okhla. "While the stretch upstream of Wazirabad is clean, any tourism activity should be strictly regulated in that area simply because we are depending on it for water. Even sporting activities with hardly any pollution potential sometimes end up causing pollution because of the scale of the activity and number of people involved. For example even white water rafting in Uttarakhand is now having ecological repercussions," said Manoj Mishra of Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan.

Kayaking enthusiasts are excited. Retired general GPS Bindra, who used to be associated with the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association, said the river stretch near Jamia Milia University is also suited for kayaking. "Pollution is not so much of a problem. We have been kayaking on Mula river in Pune which is also very polluted. What we need though is still water which is available upstream of the Yamuna," For AAP government, it seems to be another effort to highlight their plans for the Yamuna. It recently announced to hold an "aarti" everyday starting November 13 on the Qudsia ghat.