Madikeri: Perturbed by the illegal river rafting activities going unhindered in River Cauvery around Kushalnagar and Dubare, Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Sreevidya P I ordered the suspension of all forms of river rafting sport with immediate effect till March 27. All stakeholders have been asked to submit their grievances during a meeting scheduled on March 27, failing which the order may not get revoked drawing curtains on the river rafting activities in the area.
People organising river rafting activities have not taken necessary permission from the district administration neither have they provided insurance cover to tourists availing rafting facilities. They have also failed to employ safety measures by throwing caution to the winds, thereby endangering lives of people, especially tourists, DC said in her order issued under Section 133 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
Frequent skirmishes are taking place between tourists and river rafting sport organisers over fleecing tourists and it is imperative to take measures to prevent the occurrence of untoward incidents which are disturbing the peace in the area, DC stated. Even locals have raised their environmental concerns at the illegal river rafting activities and at the outset, the administration has found gross violation of rules, DC Sreevidya hinted after inspecting the stretch from Kushalanagar to Dubare on February 18.
If river rafting sport organisers fail to convince the district administration, the suspension is unlikely to be lifted forcing a permanent ban on the sport, drawing tourists in herds to Kodagu.
