KATHMANDU, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Over 400 people including locals and foreigners participated in the 30th Annual Rafting Festival 2018 held in Nepal on Saturday.

The annual adventurous water carnival was organized by the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA), an umbrella organization of rafting agencies, under the theme "Let's Protect our Rivers for Tourism and Environment."

As part of the event, white water rafting was organized in Benighat-Phisling section of Trishuli River, some 40 km away from the capital city.

"Being enriched with water resources, Nepal has a huge prospect for water adventures. Thus, through this event, we aim to promote water adventure rafting which highly contributes to the country's tourism," Shiva Adhikari, general secretary of NARA, told Xinhua.

The water fiesta also aimed to raise awareness on the need of preserving and protecting the rivers for environmental conservation and tourism development.

Sujata Bhattarai, a health professional who participated in the event, told Xinhua "It was my first time and I enjoyed paddling along with the water waves. It's an amazing experience".

Nepal has some 6,000 big and small rivers of which the government permits rafting in 16 big rivers including Trishuli, Bhotekoshi, Sunkoshi, Karnali and Kali Gandaki, among others.

According to NARA, Nepal can be established as the best destination of adventurous water tourism. Besides rafting, the country also offers water activities like cannoning, kayaking and stand-up paddle, among others.

There are around 65 rafting agencies in Nepal and nearly 1,500 guides are involved in this sector.