National Green Tribunal (NGT), the leading court of justice regarding environmental issues in the country has rescinded its ban at 25 of the 33 camping sites near 35-km long Ganges stretch at Rishikesh. The ban was imposed in December 2015 by NGT after an NGO alleged that the rafting camps are gravely violating environmental norms and are jeopardizing the river ecosystem. After hearing pleas by stakeholders and camp owners, NGT has decided to allow camping at 25 sites in Rishikesh.
This decision has come as a major relief for the more than 5,000 people who depend on the rafting and camping activities for their livelihood.
However, the NGT has prohibited any camping activities within the 100-meter radius from the middle of the river.
All rafting camps have to be set up outside 100-meter radius. Moreover, permission for eight beaches were swiftly turned down by the NGT keeping in mind the fragility of the ecosystem as they fell within the 100-meter radius. The NGT has also asked a detailed report of camping and rafting activities at these 25 sites every six months to keep a check on the compliance with its environmental policies. This decision has come as a major relief for the more than 5,000 people who depend on the rafting and camping activities for their livelihood.