Namchi, Feb 27 (IPR): In a major boost to adventure tourism, the first batch of certified river rafting guides in Sikkim successfully completed a fifteen-day Advanced River Rafting and Search & Rescue Course (Level III & IV) under the Sikkim INSPIRES programme.
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| Trainees undergo practical river rafting and rescue training along the Teesta and Rangeet rivers under the Sikkim INSPIRES adventure skilling programme. (Image: DIO Namchi) |
The closing ceremony was held at Sikkip in Namchi District. The course was organised by the Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure Eco-Tourism (IHCAE) under the aegis of the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim, as part of the Sikkim INSPIRES initiative.
Chairperson of the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Sonam Norgay Lachungpa, expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang for prioritising tourism development in the state. He highlighted Sikkim’s vast potential in adventure tourism and urged trained guides to use their newly acquired skills to benefit society and inspire future generations.
Sikkim INSPIRES Mission Director Rohini Pradhan congratulated IHCAE Principal Kazi Sherpa and his team for successfully conducting the programme. She assured government support in linking training initiatives with employment and placement opportunities and encouraged greater participation of women in such programmes.
The training, conducted from February 13 to 27, covered advanced rafting techniques, swift-water rescue, safety protocols, and emergency response. It was held along the commercially viable rafting stretches of the Rangeet and Teesta rivers.
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Seventeen participants, including one woman, completed the course and were awarded Course Completion Certificates along with one-year accidental health insurance coverage to support their professional journey.
International trainers, including David Perrin, Edie Hall, and Tim Williams, along with local stakeholder Galek Gyatso Bhutia, were felicitated with Certificates of Appreciation.
Officials stated that the initiative marks a significant step toward building skilled manpower in adventure eco-tourism and strengthening Sikkim’s position as a premier destination for river rafting and outdoor activities.
