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Chencho Dema
PUNAKHA – The Punakha Tsongkhapa administration has suspended rafting activities to ensure safety and avoid unpredictable risks during the monsoon.
The decision was taken following an incident on July 5, when an Indian couple narrowly escaped drowning after their drifting boat capsized in Mochu Island.
The two men and their guide were found clinging to the overturned raft, and the guide paddled them to the river bank. Fortunately, their lives were saved.
After the incident, the Tsongkhapa administration decided to temporarily suspend the rafting service after consultation with Punakha police and forestry officials.
However, the rafting service provider was not consulted.
Yeshi Dorji, Punakha Tsongkhapa assistant economic development and marketing officer, said the suspension was a temporary measure.
“The county has been in constant contact with all rafting operators to ensure high standards of safety and security. The suspension of rafting is a temporary precautionary measure,” he said.
The Tsongkhapa will resume rafting activities based on weather conditions and after further consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Yeshe Dorje said Tsongkhapa has been monitoring rafting activities in Phuchu and Mochu counties and advised all rafting companies to follow operating guidelines to avoid such incidents.
Although Tsongkhapa had not received reports of major accidents until recently, the recent incidents have sparked discussions about safety issues.
Yeshi Dorje said the suspension of rafting services was also due to the increased danger brought by the monsoon. “According to the county, the accident occurred due to rising water levels and strong undercurrents that overturned the raft.”
Rafting business owners Kuensel spoke to supported the county’s decision. Currently, there are six licensed rafting operators in Punakha.
Tashi Wangdi, manager of Druk Rafting Services, said the decision was made for public safety and therefore would not have a major impact on their business as July is not a peak tourist season.
Both local and international tourists usually pay Ngultrum 10,000 per rafting trip. Rafting was allowed on the Phochhu River from the Samdingkha Bridge to the confluence with the Punatsangchhu River until September 2018. This distance was later shortened to ensure that rafting boats did not reach the Dzong area.
On the Mochhu side, the rafting route extends from Yoebisa Bridge to Zomlingthang.
Rafting is prohibited in culturally and environmentally sensitive areas and children under seven are not allowed to ride rafts.
Of the 21 river sections in the country suitable for rafting, the Mochu River is the most popular, with easy rafting in levels 1 and 2 in winter and levels 4 and 5 in summer. In contrast, the Fuchu River has fast currents and fierce rapids, making it suitable only for experienced rafters.
The rafting season in Punakha lasts from April to June.
Whitewater rafting began in Bhutan in 1974 when the country opened up to tourism. Decades later, the Ministry of Economic Affairs issued commercial rafting licenses in 2018.
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