Uttarakhand HC bans river rafting, paragliding, gives state govt two weeks to draft policy

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“The State Government cannot be oblivious to its duties to regulate and restrict the unauthorized activities. The white river rafting is a serious sport. Paragliding is equally dangerous if not regulated. The water sports in big lakes like Tehri Dam can prove fatal. These are required to be regulated,” the court stated.

After seeing pictures of picnics inside the river and camping sites on the river bed, the judges said that the sanctity of the rivers was not being maintained. It said these activities were polluting the environment and ecology of the river and surrounding areas. “The tourism must be promoted but it is required to be regulated. The sports for pleasure cannot be permitted to end in disaster,” the court added.

The water sports will resume after the state government has drafted its policy on the same.