No beach camps operational in Rishikesh: State to NGT

New Delhi, January 18

The state government today refuted the allegation that beach camps are operational on the stretch from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh on the Ganga but admitted before the National Green Tribunal that loud music was played to celebrate the New Year.

"As per the collective information collected... it is respectfully submitted that as on today no beach camps are operational in reserved forests, the forest area, civil land, naap land/private land on the riverbed from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh," an affidavit filed by the state government said.

Taking strong exception to "flagrant violation" of its order banning camping activities in Uttarakhand, the tribunal had directed the Uttarakhand government to file an affidavit as to whether any camps were operating within 100 metres from the middle of the Ganga or its tributaries.

Regarding a newspaper report which had claimed that beach camping tents were put on the New Year's eve, the state government informed the bench that some private resort owners at Mohan Chatti in Havel Ghati played loud music without permission of the District Magistrate and that they had been issued notices.

The state government also told the bench that the state Department of Forests and Environment has constituted a committee to finalise the regulatory regime with regard to camping activities along the Ganga.

"The committee has so far held three meetings and is working on finalising the regulatory regime, carrying capacity study and a comprehensive management plan. The Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, is conducting the carrying capacity study for finalising the regulatory regime and comprehensive management plan," the affidavit said.

The NGT had taken cognisance of a media report which had claimed that some resorts have put up beach camping tents in the Havel valley in the Yamkeshwar block of Pauri district for the New Year celebrations.

PTI