A GEOGRAPHICAL STUDY & POTENTIALITY OF RIVER TOURISM AS AN ALTERNATE SOURCE OF INCOME IN DOOARS REGION OF WEST BENGAL, INDIA

River Tourism activity is popular since 1950s. Nowadays it is one of the attractive adventurous activities in tourism sector. River water resources are utilised for recreational purposes as white water rafting, swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, and cruising. With regard to cited views the local community should have proper awareness associated with river tourism activity which has tremendous opportunity for their economic growth and social prosperity. The present study has tried to find out the prospective of river base tourism activities in Dooars region which has spectacular landscapes, unique geo-morphological arrangements, and incredible drainage system. All the components have been taken into consideration to determine the potential sites for river base tourism in the study area. Primary data was collected from the visitors and it has been analysed through numerous statistical techniques. Most of the respondents fully agree that the destination has high prospects in terms of river base tourism. Additionally, environmental aspects are also a challenge for the implementation of water tourism in the destinations. In the conclusion the major problems related to the river tourism and proper planning has also been discussed elaborately.