Kathmandu, October 26:

The first National River Festival and Kali Gandaki River Rafting Festival 2008 is going to be organised in Kali Gandaki of Syangja from November 9-11.

A 1001-member committee has been formed under the leadership of Dr Buddhi Man Shrestha and an advisory board including CA members, tourism experts and others to organise the festival.

Organising a press conference here today, president of Main Organising Committee, Shrestha, said hundreds of distinguished people from within the country and abroad have expressed solidarity with the festival.

During the festival, programmes including rafting from Ramdi to Aandhighat; declaration of Kuwakot, Chapakot and Ratnapur as tourist destinations; demonstration of cultural shows and local productions, camp fire, sports events and observation visits would be organised.

Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies, District Tourism Development Committee and Syangja DDC have joined hands with Nepal Tourism Board to organise the festival.