The much awaited 2nd edition of the lake festival got underway in Udaipur today. The three day festival was inaugurated by State Home Minister Gulab Singh Kataria, State Minister of Forest, Environment and Mines Rajkumar Rinwa, Chairperson of Rajasthan River Basin and Water Resources Planning Authority Sriram Vedire amongst other prominent representatives.

The chief guests inaugurated the festival by flagging off the kayaking, canoeing and dragon boat race. State Home minister delivered oath to the participating atheletes from around the country.

Udaipur (rural) legislator Phool Singh Meena, District Collector Rohit Gupta, Municipal Commissioner Siddharth Sihag, Additiona District Collector O.P. Bunkar and other senior officials were present on the occasion.

Kataria called the lake festival an important element in promoting tourism in the region. He said that such events lead to inflow of tourists to the city and in-turn lead to employment generation.

Kataria provided reassurance of all possible support for establishment of water sports academy in Udaipur and said that there is immense potential for development of the sport in the city.

Rinwa called Udaipur as a prized location globally and said that there will be no effort spared in ensuring the environmental balance and tourism development in the region.

Rohit Gupta expressed happiness on the occassion of the first ever hosting of national dragon race championship in Udaipur. He also said that the lake festival provided a great mechanism for spreading message of lake conservation and cleanliness amongst the masses