DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand cabinet approved on Wednesday a new, revised policy on adventure sports at a meeting chaired by state chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, Press Trust of India reports.
State finance minister Prakash Pant told PTI that according to the policy, a complete ban has been imposed on smoking and substance abuse by enthusiasts while rafting, kayaking or canoeing in the state. It has also fixed a minimum qualification for raft operators. Penal provisions have also been made stricter for people who violate the rules.
Keeping in mind public safety, rules on paragliding and aerosports have also been revised and approved.
Taking a serious view of frequent accidents during rafting in the state, the Uttarakhand High Court had put a ban on it at the peak of the season in June this year until a revised policy on adventure sports was not brought into force by the state government.
The high court had attributed the rise in accidents during river rafting primarily due to the absence of proper regulations.
