Gangtok, April 9: The Sikkim tourism department’s Teesta Tourism Festival is making waves this season.

Already, the festival has drawn droves of adventure lovers, from all over the north east, into its orbit.

A team of foreigners, complete with kayaks and paddles, has added an international feel to the event.

Set at Tashila beach on the border town of Rangpo, the festivities were flagged off yesterday by state tourism minister K.T. Gyaltsen.

Hauling all hands on board to ensure a smooth ride, the department has entrusted the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation with the responsibility of coordinating the plethora of water sports — from rafting on the raging rapids and kayaking on the choppy Teesta waters to angling — to appeal to the hard core professionals and amateurs alike.

A number of contests, for rafters, kayakers and anglers has also been lined up spice up the itinerary with the “spirit of competition”.

All the leading travel agencies have also despatched representatives to chip in with their bit for the programme.

Officials of the tourism wing of Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council have also set up camp at the festival, where participants from the northeastern states including Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh have arrived in large numbers.

Almost all the travel agencies of the capital have sent in their representatives to help organise the events. Members of the Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) are also camped to help the department in organising the event.