You won’t be able to enjoy staying in tents near gushing waters of River Ganga in Rishikesh as the National Green Tribunal has banned camping activity in the entire belt of Kaudiyala to Rishikesh in Uttarakhand.However, the green tribunal has allowed rafting with immediate effect.
"No camping activity shall be carried out in the entire belt of Kaudilaya to Rishikesh and the government would abide by its statement made before the tribunal on March 31, 2015, till the regulatory regime in terms of this judgement comes into forces and is effectively implemented," a bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar said.
Meanwhile, NGT has also imposed complete ban on use of any plastic items in the entire belt covered under the judgment.
A committee of officials has also been constituted comprising officials from several departments-central government and Uttarakhand government-to prepare a regulatory regime which should be submitted to the tribunal within three weeks.
"The committee shall consider all aspects of Environment, Wildlife, River and Biodiversity while preparing the relevant regulatory regime," the bench said.
The committee can also recommend on rafting stations and number of rafting shafts.
Further, the bench said it said that within 100 meters of the river no construction activity would be carried out under any circumstances and made it clear that no structure of any kind would be permitted to be raised whether it is temporary, semi-permanent or permanent.
The petition, filed through advocate Rahul Chowdhary, alleged that these camps, which are located and established as temporary sites, do not have adequate sewage and sanitation facilities and disturb the habitat of wild animals and "affect the peace, tranquillity and serenity of the forest area".
"At the camp sites, the camp owners permit employees and the visitors to have food and alcohol. They leave empty bottles, cans, unconsumed food and waste including bones and filth in and around the camp site," the plea had said.
(Image: Thinkstock)