HC lifts ban on white water rafting across Uttarakhand

NAINITAL: In relief to adventure tourism industry in the state, the Uttarakhand high court on Wednesday decided to allow white water rafting under strict guidelines. Modifying its earlier order, a division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Rajiv Sharma and justice Lokpal Singh said that white water rafting is permitted in the state strictly as per the Uttarakhand River Rafting and Kayaking Rules, 2014.
The high court modified its order after the Army filed an application saying they had to undertake river rafting as a standard procedure. “Along with affidavit, the State Government has also placed an Annexure on record viz. ‘Uttarakhand River Rafting / Kayaking Rules, 2014.’ These Rules were duly notified on January 24, 2014. In view of this, the judgment dated 18th June, 2018 is modified and the white river rafting is permitted in the State of Uttarakhand, strictly as per the Uttarakhand River Rafting / Kayaking Rules, 2014,” said the HC bench.
The court also directed the state government to issue necessary no-objection certificate in three days to the Army.
In another boost to the tourism industry, the high court also allowed other water sport activities in Tehri after seeking the “necessary permission from the concerned district magistrate”.
Over 300 rafting firms used to operate more than 1,200 rafts on the 40km stretch from Rishikesh to Kaudiyala. Employment of at least 5,000 people depended on rafting activities in the region. According to estimates, adventure sports activities used to do a business of up to Rs 70 crore per annum.
The court also asked the authorities to ensure that the applications be invited by making “necessary publication in the print media and electronic media to maintain transparency”.
In June this year, the high court had banned all water sports, paragliding and white river rafting in the state until a policy was framed to regulate these activities. In an order dated June 18, the HC directed the state government to “prepare a transparent policy in this regard within a period of two weeks”.
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The court while imposing the ban had taken note of rafting deaths every year due to capsizing of boats and said that it should only be permitted by highly trained professionals.