MECHUKHA : The second edition of the Mechukha Trout Quest concluded on July 26 last with a grand valedictory ceremony, marking the successful culmination of an international angling event that showcased sportsmanship, conservation and Arunachal Pradesh’s growing stature as an adventure tourism destination.
Held in the pristine waters of the Yargyap-chu River, the tournament attracted 56 elite anglers from Bhutan, Thailand and several Indian states, further strengthening Mechukha’s reputation on the international angling and adventure tourism circuit.
Among the prominent participants was Bobby Satpal, widely regarded as one of India’s leading fly anglers and guides.
To encourage community participation, the organisers also conducted a special competition exclusively for residents of Shi Yomi district at the high-altitude Pasang Sonam Lake near the India-China border. The local event offered a cash prize of ₹1 lakh for the winner and ₹50,000 for the runner-up.
The tournament was conducted under the technical supervision of Tournament Director Derek D’Souza, India representative to the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) and Vice President (Environment) of the All India Game Fishing Association. His leadership ensured that the competition adhered to international sporting and conservation standards.
Organised in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, the event underscored the state’s commitment to promoting sustainable tourism, strengthening tourism infrastructure and encouraging responsible adventure sports as a means of generating livelihood opportunities for local communities.
The closing ceremony was attended by Agriculture and Allied Sectors Minister Gabriel D Wangsu as chief guest and Tourism Education and Rural Works Department Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona as guest of honour. Also present were Tourism Director Rujjum Rakshap, Shi Yomi Deputy Commissioner Manjunath R and Army officers.
Wangsu presented cash prizes to winners in the professional fly fishing, lure fishing and local community categories.
In his valedictory address, Wangsu stressed the importance of adopting sustainable tourism models in the Mechukha valley, saying eco-friendly adventure activities such as regulated game fishing can generate long-term economic benefits while preserving the region’s fragile ecosystem. He said community participation would remain central to the state’s tourism development strategy.
Participants expressed appreciation for the professional organisation of the tournament and Mechukha’s scenic landscape, with many international anglers expressing their eagerness to return for the next edition of the Mechukha Trout Quest.