Guwahati: A team from the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), Dirang, led by Director Col. Ranveer Singh Jamwal, successfully completed the first-ever attempt to paddle the entire 1,040 km stretch of the mighty Brahmaputra River.
The journey, which began at Gelling village in Arunachal Pradesh and concluded at Hatsingimari, Assam, near the Bangladesh border, marks a significant milestone in adventure sports in India.
The expedition, which took 28 days to complete, was a testament to human endurance, skill, and teamwork.
Over the course of the journey, the team faced numerous challenges, including treacherous rapids, unpredictable weather, and difficult terrain.
The first leg of the journey, starting from Gelling village on the Siang River (known as the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh), presented the team with dangerous Class 4 and 5 rapids.
Over four days, they navigated through intense rapids, including the Ningging Rapid, Palsi Rapid, and Kodak Rapid, among others, with several flips and near-misses testing their limits.
The expedition continued into Assam, where the river transitioned from its furious rapids in the Arunachal Himalayas to the expansive and powerful river system known for its vast size and unpredictable currents.
Despite the calmer waters in Assam, the team still faced colossal eddies and challenges in maintaining course.
The expedition team, consisting of 9 rafters and 14 support staff, worked tirelessly to navigate through the Brahmaputra’s challenges, proving their physical and mental fortitude.
Beyond the physical journey, the expedition also became a cultural experience, with the team interacting with indigenous tribes such as the Memba, Adi, Mishing, and Bodo.
These encounters provided valuable insights into the river’s deep cultural significance to these communities and allowed the team to experience their vibrant traditions and resilient way of life.
The success of the expedition has not only etched a new milestone in India’s adventure sports but also highlighted the vast potential for adventure tourism and eco-awareness in India’s northeastern frontier.
The journey is a powerful reminder of the role adventure sports can play in promoting environmental consciousness, community engagement, and cultural exchange.
The National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), a premier institution in Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh, has played a crucial role in fostering adventure tourism in the region.
With its diverse range of training programmes in mountaineering, rafting, paragliding, and other adventure sports, NIMAS continues to inspire future adventurers and contribute to India’s rising prominence in the global adventure sports community.
