In a step towards women’s empowerment, 14 women from Uttarakhand have completed their certification as White Water River Rafting Guides and are set to lead adventurous tourists through the turbulent waters of the Ganga River in Rishikesh. The women underwent a rigorous three-month training program conducted by the state tourism department, making them the first group of women in the state to officially qualify as rafting guides.
Rishikesh, a prominent destination for river rafting, draws over five lakh tourists annually. Despite the growing popularity of the sport, the role of rafting guides has traditionally been dominated by men. However, with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s vision to promote gender equality in adventure tourism, this initiative has opened doors for women to explore career opportunities in the field.
One of the newly trained guides, Priyanka Rana, hails from Siransu village in Pauri district and is currently pursuing her BBA. A kayaking athlete, Priyanka shares how rafting near her village sparked her interest in the sport. Upon learning about the state government’s initiative to train women as rafting guides, she eagerly enrolled. Now, she is ready to start her career as a professional rafting guide.
Similarly, Kamakshi Goyal, a resident of Ramnagar, currently working with a nautical company in Goa, took the opportunity to enhance her skills by enrolling in the training program. Already employed in the white-water rafting industry, Kamakshi believes this experience has further strengthened her abilities.
Rishikesh local, Muskan, who is still pursuing her graduation, also participated in the first batch of training. She recounts how international trainers conducted the sessions over three months, including a week-long rafting journey from Devprayag to Rishikesh. Muskan described the all-women-led campaign as an exhilarating experience, and she is now determined to build a career in the rafting industry.
The state’s tourism department provided the training free of cost, covering lodging and meals as well. With the registration process now underway, these women are ready to officially begin their careers as professional guides, taking tourists on thrilling rafting adventures.
Adventure tourism holds immense potential for employment in Uttarakhand, with increasing numbers of women tourists seeking rafting experiences. The state’s initiative to train women as rafting guides is a progressive step, encouraging more women to pursue careers in this sector. “This is a major step toward empowering the daughters and women of Uttarakhand,” said Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. He emphasized that such programs will not only create employment but also boost women’s participation in the state’s booming tourism industry.
