Impacts of River Rafting (Tourism) on the Ganges (Uttrakhand)

          River rafting is a popular tourist activity and it has its own impacts on the ecology of the Ganges. Scientists (Authors Parth Sarathi Mahapatra , H.B.Vasistha  and Rajiv Pandey ) from  Forest Ecology and Environment Division of  Forest Research Institute, Dehradun ( India ) have explained different impacts of this industry on the Ganges. They argue that the “expectations from the development of River Rafting and Camping industry on the banks of The Holy Ganga have not been up to the mark. The high inflow of tourists, passiveness towards social and environmental concerns accompanied with lack of proper implementation of rules and regulations have accounted for the same. Also the fast and sometimes uncontrolled growth is leading to the degradation of the environment and loss of local identity and change in traditional culture which threatens the social life of the people. Therefore it’s potential for a sustainable development in this Himalayan region is taking a negative path. Thus there is an urgent need for comprehensive impact assessment studies before the future goes out of control”