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.
"We welcome the court order but it must be the prerogative of the state to implement laws. We want to preserve the ecology and the environment here as it provides us our livelihood but why should we face the consequences especially when there are only eight days left for this season," he added.
Environmental activist Harinder Dhingra said, "We cannot have vehicles being driven on the river beds and people camping there. They leave behind litter. The plastic that is dumped there is choking our rivers and we have also seen accidents in the past."
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