MALAPPURAM: Some 100 kayakers from various parts of India are all set to launch a nationwide river conservation campaign by paddling through rivers across the country. The campaign will begin in the river Chaliyar in Nilambur in the district on Friday. The long distance kayaking event titled Chaliyar River Challenge 2016 is being organised by the Clean Rivers Initiative Trust and Cheruvannur-based Jellyfish Watersports in association with the department of tourism as an awareness campaign to prevent river contamination.
The first leg of the campaign would cover the entire stretch of 70 kilometres in three days and conclude in Beypore on Sunday. In between the kayakers would collect floating wastes from the river during the paddling and disposed of safely. “There will be special events on the sidelines," said Brijesh Shaijal who heads the Clean Rivers Initiative Trust. "We also plan awareness classes on river conservation for students in ten schools situated along the river stretch, besides street plays and music programmes for the public. We aim to promote various water sports during the event.”
The kayaking team includes professionals from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Dubai. The presence of international champion Kaustubh Khade, who represented India in two Asian Championships, will add more colour to the event.
Mr Khade reached Nilambur on Thursday. Local legislator P.V Anwar will flag off the event at 2 pm.
