No Water Sports In Uttarakhand, Environment And Safety At Stake, Says Court

The Uttarakhand high court has banned paragliding, and white water rafting and other water sports until the administration puts in place a policy to regulate them in a move aimed at safeguarding both the environment and people engaging in these activities.

The court’s decision comes as a jolt to adventure tourism and water sports in the Himalayan state.

A division bench of justices Rajiv Sharma and Lok Pal Singh ordered the ban in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Rishikesh-based social activist Hari Om Kashyap.

The HC directed the state government to enact suitable legislation for regulating adventure and water sports throughout Uttarakhand. The order was issued by the HC on Monday, but a copy was made available only on Thursday.

“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.