No more water rafting, paragliding or any water sports in Uttarakhand until transparent policies are formulated, the High Court ruled.
NEW DELHI: The Uttarakhand High Court has banned water sports, white water rafting and paragliding in the state citing safety and environmental concerns. The order has come as a huge shock to the adventure tourism industry in their peak season.
In an order that was made available on Thursday, the court said, "We are shocked to know that the state government is permitting camping sites on the river beds. It pollutes the environment and ecology of the river and the surrounding areas."
"The State government is directed to prepare the transparent policy within a period of two weeks. Till the policy is framed, no white river rafting, paragliding and other water sports shall be permitted in the state of Uttarakhand," the order said.
The court also took note of the deaths caused by rafting every year due to capsizing of the rafts. White water rafting in Uttarakhand is valued at yearly Rs. 70-80 crores. It employs approximately 10,000 people including guides, cooks, instructors and drivers.
According to Rishikesh-based petitioner Hari Om Kashyap, temporary structures are being permitted to be set up on the banks of the river and rafting is being carried out by private companies in the absence of any law.
Gagan Bhist who owns Char Machan, an adventure sport company, said they receive visitors from across the country and June is their peak season. The ban is a jolt to his business. In the last 24 hours, 200 cancellations have cost his business a loss of Rs. 4 lakh.