Uttarakhand High Court imposes ban on river rafting and paragliding across the state

When we think of river rafting, Rishikesh strikes our mind instantly as it is the perfect weekend getaway far from the maddening crowd, with rafting being one of the popular activities. 

River rafting generates adrenaline rush to adventure enthusiasts as they ride down the thundering rapids of the Ganges with inflatable boats, carbon paddles and helmets. The Uttarakhand High Court's order imposing a ban on river rafting and paragliding across the state has come as a shocker to adventure sports companies and adventure tourists who say a blanket ban is not the solution. The order has, however, been welcomed by the environmentalists who said the high court order was in interest of the environment and ecology.

Arvind Bhardwaj of Red Chilli Adventure said the high court order will hit the rafting business very hard as it would render the people jobless. "I am involved in adventure activities in Rishikesh for the last 24 years. I am surprised to hear of this order. The state government had already issued guidelines for rafting.