GOVERNMENT OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH 
                            DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION PUBLIC RELATIONS & PRINTING 
                                                                            NAHARLAGUN 

No.IPR(PR)86/2000                                                                                               Dated Naharlagun the 14th March 2005  
                                                                PRESS RELEASE SL. NO 153 

Naharlagun, March 14- The Indian Army has planned to undertake a white water rafting expedition in river Siang from Tuting in Upper Siang to Pasighat in East Siang under the aegis of Headquarter 5 Mountain Brigade from March 16 to 24 next, reports DIPRO Yingkiong. The expedition would be flagged off by the state Chief Minister Gegong Apang at Tuting on March 16 next. Altogether eighteen rafters of 5 Mountain Brigade led by Lieutenant R A Yadav of 17 KUMAON will negotiate 374 km stretch of frothing Siang in two inflated rubber rafts. The expedition team would be flagged in at Pasighat by Major General P S Rana, VSM General Officer Commanding 2 Mountain Division. The team has undergone intensive training at Army Aqua Node Centre, Along under a qualified team of instructors led by Capt Pankaj Rawat of 17 KUMAON. The team members have acquired the expertise in the rafting skills with particular emphasis on negotiating difficult rapids. They have also been trained in safety and rescue procedures. The majestic Siang River is the fastest flowing river with a high turbulence, scary rapids with highest average depth in the Indian subcontinent. Originating from Lake Mansarovar at the feet of the Mount Kailash, Siang is known as Tsangpo in Tibet . Skirting the Namcha Barwa massif, the river enters India at Kepangla as Siang and at the foothills near Pasighat, it confluences with the Dibang and the Lohit rivers to form the mighty Brahmaputra . With an average velocity of 2 m/sec increasing to as much 3.6 m/sec, the rapids can become quite vicious with from 4 to 6 being the norm. The Indian Army has always been in the forefront to promoting adventure activities. With a view to promote adventure sports in the North Eastern region and to inculcate offensive spirit amongst the troops, 5 Mountain Brigade has planned to undertake this expedition. To negotiate the frothing Siang in inflated rubber rafts has always been a challenge for most of the rafters. The Siang river offers an excellent opportunity for the keen rafters to explore the hidden adventure. The expedition is the brain child of Brig M G Bodwadkar, Commander 5 Mountain Brigade who has meticulously planned it. 17 KUMAON is responsible for the overall co-ordination, conduct and administrative back up for the expedition. The requisite medical cover for the expedition and communication arrangements will be provided under Headquarters 5 Mountain Brigade. The successful conduct of the White Water Rafting expedition of the 5 Mountain Brigade will demand high level of physical fitness, mental robustness and enormous courage of all the members besides experiencing the immense thrill of adventure and tremendous sense of achievement. It would also inculcate a spirit of team work and camaraderie amongst the soldiers and junior leaders. The expertise gained during such adventure activities would prove beneficial for challenging small scale special missions during operations. The expedition will also encourage locals to undertake similar adventure activities besides promoting tourism in this beautiful state, the report added.

( Deepali Dodum )
Press Research Officer 
Information, Public Relations & Printing 
Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh Naharlagun.