The first edition of the toddy-trunk boat race in the Kolleru Lake has evoked overwhelming response from locals. The race was organised near Pandiripalligudem of Kaikaluru mandal in Krishna district.
The wildlife management division officials made an attempt to give a fillip to the water sport by conducting the traditional boat race, marking the World Wetland Day on February 2. As many as 24 professional boat riders from different parts of the villages surrounding the lake, a Ramsar Conservation Site, were in the fray during the preliminary stage of the race.
The preliminary race was conducted between the wooden bridge point and Peddintlamma temple, amid huge crowd who cheered the participants. Of the 24 participants, four were qualified for the finals to be held on Monday at the same venue.
Guarded by the special teams of forest staff and professional swimmers, the boatmen in the fray strived to complete the three-km waterway by displaying sporting spirit. The flow of the lake water on Sunday evening tested their capabilities as it turned out to be difficult for easy navigation towards the end. Former Kaikaluru MLA J.V. Ramana inaugurated the boat race . “The maiden attempt to encourage the use and operation of toddy-trunk boat yielded a great result with good turn up of local youths. We are offering Rs. 10,000 prize money to the winner”, Kaikaluru Forest Ranger A. Sunil Kumar told newsmen.
Locals also announced prize money of nearly Rs. 6,000 to the winners.
