1350 kg of rubbish was collected from the river in three days; End with the Chaliyar River Pad
Kozhikode: Asia’s second long distance kayaking tour concluded with Chaliyar River Padling. Apart from India, around 100 people from Russia, Australia, Singapore, Germany and Britain participated in the three-day long-distance kayaking awareness trip.
This is the eighth edition of the long distance kayaking awareness trip to protect Chaliyar and promote water adventure. The trip was organized by Jellyfish Water Sports Club of Kozhikode. The event was organized in collaboration with Kerala Tourism Department, Decathlon, Yolo, Paragon Restaurant Kozhikode and Kerala Energy Management Centre.
Out of 100 participants, eight were women. Thirteen-year-old Shezrin Iqbal from Cheruvannur in Kozhikode and Ovinair Shafi from Mumbai are the youngest in the group. The oldest person is Karl Dumschen, aged 80, who is a native of Germany.
The group traveled 68 km through Chaliyar. The trip was in different types of kayaks, stand up paddles and canoes. The trip was led by the famous Russian kayaker, Anton Seshnnikov. Indian sailing star and Asian Games medalist Shweta Scherwegar also participated in the Chaliyar River Paddling.
In three days, the team collected 1350 kg of garbage from the Chaliyar river. Kozhikode Kotthodika, founder of Jellyfish Water Sports, said that this waste will be separated and sent for recycling in collaboration with Green Worms of Kozhikode.
The amount of waste collected from the river convinced the local people, children and public representatives. Awareness classes on river conservation were also organized for students from different schools in the neighboring districts of Chaliyar. Apart from this, different types of water sports were also introduced to the local people and children.
Chaliyar River Paddle, India’s first long-distance kayaking tour, started from Nilambur on Friday. The tour ended on Sunday afternoon at the Jellyfish Water Sports Club, Cheruvannur.
A five-member team from Coast Guard Beypur also joined the kayaking team at Urkadav. District Collector Dr. N. Tej Lohit Reddy was also present.
Russian kayaker Anton Seshnnikov, Indian sailing star Shweta Scherwegar, Jellyfish Water Sports founder Kaushik Kotithodika, managing director Rinsi Iqbal and general manager Subi Bose spoke at the closing session held at the Jellyfish Water Sports Club.
Content highlight: Eighth Chaliyar River Paddling, kayakers remove over 1,350 kg of garbage from the river
