Guwahati Aug 14: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday inaugurated the Aqua Excellence Centre of the Dirang-based National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS) at Tippi.
NIMAS, under the Defence Ministry, is a premier institution dedicated to providing world-class training in all three verticles (Land, Aero and Aqua) of adventure and presently imparts adventure course certification in mountaineering, mountain terrain biking, white water rafting, scuba diving, paramotor and paragliding. With a focus on holistic development and excellence, NIMAS aims to cultivate skilled, resilient, and environmentally conscious adventurers.
Khandu remarked that with the inauguration of the new centre, aqua or water adventure sports will receive a significant boost.
“Arunachal Pradesh is known for its rivers that have immense potential for aqua sports like all forms of river rafting, canoeing, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkelling, etc. I am optimistic that NIMAS with its expertise would explore this sector to develop Arunachal Pradesh as a major adventure tourism destination.
“This centre will unlock the potential of youth in aqua adventures, leveraging the state’s abundant rivers and water bodies. It’s a significant step towards promoting water sports and positioning our state as a premier destination for adventure sports,” he said.
The Chief Minister appreciated NIMAS Director, ColRanveer Singh Jamwal for utilizing a building built by the state tourism department, which was lying unused since years. He also lauded the Tourism department headed by Director K N Damo for renovating the entire building at a modest budget of Rs 95 lakhs.
Felicitating the ‘Har Shikhar Tiranga’ team of NIMAS that successfully scaled and hoisted the Tricolour on the highest peak of each Indian state, Khandu hailed the indomitable spirit of the team members ably led by Col Jamwal, who incidentally is the only Indian to reach the top of Mount Everest thrice.
Khandu also flagged off the Mount Gorichen Massif Expedition, the highest peak in Arunachal Pradesh situated along the boundary of West Kameng and Tawang districts.
Wishing the team luck, he called for exploration of adventure tourism opportunities associated with Mount Gorichen in similar lines that of Mount Everest,“Hundreds of mountaineers flock to climb Mount Everest every season while hundreds trek to the base camp just for adventure. Our tourism department in collaboration with NIMAS may plan a similar set-up,” he suggested.
The Chief Minister later released a coffee-table book and a video documentary on the ‘Har SikharTiranga Mission’.
Present during the event were local MLA Tenzin Nyima Glow, Director Tourism K N Damo, officials of the district administration and NIMAS and local leaders of Bhalukpong area.
