Bamboo raft has become an integral part of the ONAM AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ONAM CELEBRATIONS in parambikulam The race is being conducted to encourage eco tourism and 40 to 45 rafts participate in the event every year according to S.Babu of sungam settlement, the organizers of the race.In a snake boat race dozens of people row on a boat.In case of bamboo raft racing is a singles item.The contestant who completes the 300 m track marked in the parambikulam dam reservoir wins the race. Tribal people use bamboo rafts to cross parambikulam dam reservoir for personal purposes.The same rafts are used for the competition over the years.The race has become the center of attraction during onam celebrations.The tribes have been secretly practicing for the big day.Each settlement fields their best rowers for the contest. Winning the race is now a matter of pride for every settlement he added.Earlier a contestant had to row about 3 km to win the race.However the distance was later reduced to 300 m .The prizes for the winners and the participants are sponsored by forest officials.