A pioneer of whitewater rafting in Uttarakhand, where he has operated for three decades now, Vaibhav Kala talks about the amazing potential of river rafting in the state
Uttarakhand is often called the whitewater capital of India. What makes its rivers—like the Ganga, Alaknanda, or Tons—so uniquely suited for rafting compared to other rivers around the country?
The rivers in Uttarakhand have great access to them, offering a boundaryless experience in nature. The rivers also offer great diversity of experience, terrain and challenge—from the pool-drop Ganga to the challenging Alaknanda, the roaring Bhagirathi, the great Mahakali which is also an angler’s paradise, to its western border, the alpine Tons that is possibly one of the best river runs in the country!
You are one of the pioneers of whitewater rafting in Uttarakhand. How has the river rafting scene in Uttarakhand evolved over the years—from a niche adventure sport to a mainstream tourism draw? What have been some turning points?
The beach camps on the Ganga in the late 1980s/90s till 2015 began to bring the activity to people and bring one of the first mainstream adventure tourism activities in the state. With its quick access it drew expats, locals, domestic tourists, international visitors, schools, corporate houses—a one-size-fits-all activity with its inherently safe environs, the Ganga was the perfect foil for an outdoor weekend, camping on sandy banks and sleeping by the river. Then, of course, the main domestic tourism massification rolled in, and opened up rivers like the Kali from Jauljibee, Upper Alaknanda from Chamoli, the Tons near Mori, the Bhagirathi from Tehri / Paindas, etc. It has never looked back since.
There’s always a balance to be struck between thrill and safety. What are the key safety protocols that serious rafting operators follow in Uttarakhand, especially during high-flow months?
Standard protocols irrespective of river levels is at least two crafts on the water at all times, with experienced river guides current in first aid/CPR. A safety kayak is always great to have on every trip. No overloading of rafts, no single trips and no late trips; and always an easy section first to ensure the river experience does not get commoditised. Every outfitter must of course, be registered and every guide, licensed.
River-based tourism brings livelihood opportunities but also environmental concerns. What are the biggest sustainability challenges facing rafting destinations in Uttarakhand today?
Trash, dams and overcrowding are the main threats to riverine environments. Dams destroy beach formations, stop river flows like on the Tons, trash ensures tourists stay away, and overcrowding destroys the USP that brings tourism to the region in the first place. For example, the Ganga has nearly 300+ rafting permits whilst the Tons (till this summer) had only one company.
For someone rafting for the first time—whether it’s the Grade II rapids of the Ganga or more advanced stretches like the Tons—what would you recommend in terms of preparation, mindset, and choosing the right experience?
Choose the right outfitter. Credentials matter in adventure! Ask the right questions, share your preferences, your ability and your chosen company will help you find the right offering. Verify the credentials of the operator before signing up, such as the registrations and certifications they have, as well as the history of experience of the guides.
What are some of the challenges faced by river rafting operators in Uttarakhand?
Safety and standardization of operations, some archaic rules that need a revisit, proper licensing procedures to reduce accident rates, and resolution of bottlenecks like getting river slips from an office on the Ganga before every raft trip. In a digital age, these qualify as red tape and are the hallmark of a sluggish system.
Aquaterra recently completed 30 years of operations. Do you feel you’ve achieved everything you set out to do? What lies ahead?
We have miles to go, adventure is boundless and we have plans. A lodge in the Tons valley is coming up soon, and a fishing lodge on the Kali will be equitable to both sides of the state. Besides, our offerings needs to keep evolving, each year we open up 3-4 new adventures, and that keeps us 30 years young!!
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