Despite a recent High Court order, rafting operators continued to conduct water sports activities in Rishikesh till Friday. But adventure sports companies had to close down operations after the Uttarakhand government swung into action on Saturday.
Sub Divisional Magistrate (Narendra Nagar) Laxmi Raj Chauhan forced the rafting companies follow the court orders resulting in huge losses for cancelling booking of tourists at the last minute. Rishikesh faces heavy inflow of visitors from Delhi and other neighboring place to go rafting on the Ganga during the weekend.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said, “The state government is studying the high court orders regarding ban on adventure tourism activities. The next step in this regard would be taken after studying all the aspects of the case. The interests of all the entrepreneurs and people associated with adventure tourism activities will be protected by the state government.”
The CM has directed the Secretary Tourism to look into all the legal aspects of the high court order and take appropriate action. The Nainital High Court in its recent order put a ban on white river rafting and paragliding in Uttarakhand till the state government frames a transparent policy on adventure sports.
Trivendra Rawat said keeping in view the interests of the people involved in this trade, Uttarakhand Rafting, Kayaking Manual has been framed and soon a manual for paragliding and other adventure tourism activities will be prepared.
He said the state government is examining all legal aspects associated with adventure tourism activities and a comprehensive policy will be prepared so that tourism industry is promoted in future.
The high court order came days before rafting activities are closed for the monsoon. As a routine practice the rafting industry winds up its operations by 30 June.