Craze of adventure sports increases among youngsters

PATNA: To experience the thrill of life and explore the unexplored grounds, youngsters from urban as well as rural areas of the state are taking to adventure sports these days. Activities like cycling, trekking, para sailing, para gliding, rock climbing, hot air balloon rides, various kinds of water sports in the Ganga like boat riding, kayaking and banana ride are gaining popularity.
Several organisations like the National Adventure Foundation (Bihar chapter), Sport Climbing Association of Bihar, Sarvangin Vikas Samiti and Bihar Eco Adventure Camp are actively supporting the youths to nurture their talent through various kinds of adventure sports.
Apart from these organisations, various water parks, amusement parks, lakes and dams developed by the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) are offering adventurous water sport facilities where both young and elderly throng, especially in summer, to enjoy the thrill and excitement.
"Adventure sports which include water sport activities are now being organised on regular basis in major events organised by the state government. Hot air balloon ride, parasailing, gliding river rafting and kayaking are now major attractions at Harihar Kshetra Mela, Rajgir Mahotsav, Baudh Mahotav in Bodh Gaya and Sitamarhi Mahotsav. Trekking and para gliding are done at Valmikinagar also. Even various Sainik schools also hold adventure sports activities as part of their curriculum," Daya Shankar Mishra, director, Bihar chapter of National Adventure Foundation, said. "The foundation also oragnises activities like trekking, rock climbing, para sailing for rural youths in districts like Bhojpur, Sasaram, Gaya and Darbhanga," Mishra added.
The Bihar Eco Adventure Camp at Barabar caves in Jehanabad district is also a delight for adventure sports lovers of Bihar. "We conduct and facilitate adventure sport activities like hiking, night trekking, rappelling, backpacking, archery, star gazing, nature education camps and outbound training programmes to promote a spirit of adventure among the youth," said Purushottam Prakash, who manages the adventure camp.
"It was an out of the world experience for me and my four friends at the adventure camp located at Barabar caves. The entire trekking package was thrilling," said Ankit Sinha, an engineering student.
"The Barabar Hill Caves are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India, dating from the Maurya Empire (322-185 BCE), some with Ashokan inscriptions, located in the Makhdumpur region of Jehanabad district. There are three man-made caves behind Barabar and Nagarjuni Hills - Gopika, Vadathika and Vapiyaka - where night trekking is done. Both young and elderly throng the caves to have a first-hand experience of these adventure activities," Manish said.
The BSTDC has provided adventurous water sports activities at Amawaman Lake, a picturesque natural reservoir at Bettiah in West Champaran district. Once used for idol immersion, the lake is the state's first adventure sport site. Parasailing, banana bumper, zorbing ball, kayaking, sofa bumper, jet skiing, floating. jetty, speed boat, peddle boat and floating promenade are available at the lake site.
Adventure sports activities are offered by Jalalpur Fuun Adventure Sports, situated at Gangajal Tola, north of J P setu in Patna, where sports activities like artificial climbing, parasailing, sky cycling, tyre wall climbing and net climbing hot air balloon are available. "Youths in large number love to visit the park to enjoy these adventure sports," said Sandeep Singh, owner of the facility.
Various water and amusement parks like the Chhapak Water Park, Funtasia Water Park, Hungama Water Park, situated on the outskirts of Patna, also record huge footfalls in summer as people enjoy the water sports activities here.
"A water park, situated near Sukulpur village on Patna-Bakhtiyarpur road, is a real treat for adventure sports lovers as it gives wild splashes. One can enjoy a day full of joy and excitement in different activities like wave pool turbo tunnel, big splash, crazy river," said Anand, who recently visited the park with his family.
"Water sports facilities like banana rides and kayaking are occasionally available at NIT Ghat and Rani Ghat in Patna," said Manish Srivastav, who organises the activities.