The Uttarakhand government today refuted the allegation that beach camps are operational on the stretch from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh on river 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 forest, forest area, civil land, naap land/private land on river bed from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh," an affidavit filed by the Uttarakhand 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 Ganga or its tributaries.
Regarding a newspaper report which had claimed that beach camping tents were put on 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 they have been already issued notices.
The state government also told the bench that Department of Forests and Environment of Uttarakhand government has constituted a committee to finalise the regulatory regime with regard to camping activities along Ganga.
"The committee has so far held three meetings and is working on finalising the regulatory regime, carrying capacity study and comprehensive management plan. 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 newspaper report which had claimed that some resorts have have put up beach camping tents in Havel valley in Yamkeshwar block of Pauri district on the banks of the tributary of Ganga, Havel river, for New Year eve celebrations.
On December 10 last year, the tribunal had banned camping activities in the entire belt of Kaudiyala to Rishikesh till the regulatory regime comes into force but permitted the adventure sport rafting with immediate effect.
The panel had constituted a committee of officials from various departments of central and Uttarakhand government to prepare a regulatory regime which should be submitted to the tribunal within three weeks.
