Tawang

A six-day international kayaking tournament will be organised on the fast-flowing Tawangchu river in Arunachal Pradesh from February 10 to 15, bringing adventure sports to one of India’s most strategically and geographically significant regions.

The event, titled Tawangchu Tides International Kayaking Championship (TTIKC), will return for its second edition and will be held at Lungla in Tawang district, organisers said in a statement. The championship is being conducted with support from the Arunachal Pradesh government and in association with the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association, Arunachal Kayaking and Canoeing Association, and the Arunachal Olympic Association.

Tawangchu, the principal river of the district, flows through a high-altitude terrain situated above 10,000 feet and close to the India–China border. Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1,129-kilometre-long Line of Actual Control with the Tibet Autonomous Region, making the region strategically important.

The championship will include ceremonial prayers to mark the beginning of the event, followed by race briefings, training sessions, and competitive events such as downriver sprint races and kayak slalom competitions. Athletes from India and abroad are expected to participate.

Apart from its sporting significance, Tawang is known for its natural beauty and deep spiritual heritage. The town is home to one of Asia’s oldest monasteries, founded in 1680, and is also the birthplace of the Sixth Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso.

The entire Tawang district forms the basin of the Tawangchu river. Several tributaries, including the Tsona Chu and Nyamjang Chu originating in Tibet, merge with the river before it flows into Bhutan. It later enters Assam as the Manas river and ultimately joins the Brahmaputra.

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Organisers said the event aims to promote adventure tourism while showcasing the region’s unique geography and cultural legacy.