Camping at 25 sites on Ganga gets NGT nod

New Delhi, March 2: The National Green Tribunal allowed camping at 25 sites along the Ganga in Rishikesh, saying it should be carried out in an ecofriendly manner rather than on a purely commercial basis.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar lifted the ban, which was imposed in December 2015, while accepting the management plan and regulatory regime submitted by the Uttarakhand government.

The tribunal, which prohibited camping activity in the entire belt from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh till the regulatory regime came into force, allowed it on 25 spots out of the 33 recommended by the state.

It rejected eight sites, noting they fell within 100 metres from the middle of the river during the lean season flow.

“We hold and declare that the Management Plan and Regulatory Regime as submitted by the Uttarakhand government and as approved by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change shall come into force forthwith,” the bench said.

“We expect that the state will encourage eco-tourism activity… while ensuring that camping activity is carried on in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner rather than on a purely commercial basis with modern luxuries,” the tribunal said.

It also directed the authorities to keep an eye on 25 sites for compliance of its directions and said reports on camping and rafting activities be submitted to the state authorities every six months.

“All authorities concerned

We expect that the state (Uttarakhand) will encourage ecotourism activity... rather than on a purely commercial basis with modern luxuries — Swatanter

Kumar, NGT chairman

shall maintain a strict vigil and supervision at the 25 spots during the period for which licence is granted for carrying on beach camping activity in those sites,” the NGT said.

“We direct the principal chief conservator of forests and the secretary, revenue of Uttarakhand to ensure that six monthly reports are submitted to them in relation to carrying on of rafting and beach camping activity on all these 25 sites,” the tribunal said.

It said that out of the 25 camping sites, 22 are “partially within and partially outside” the 100-metre restriction and would be used for effective beach camping activity only to the extent at the areas that fall beyond the restricted sites.

The remaining three spots are outside the restricted zone. “The part of the beach within 100 metres and where it forms integral and inseparable part of the beach would not be used for any effective beach camping activity,” it said.