In an order which is likely to have far-reaching implications for Uttarakhand’s adventure tourism sector, the high court has banned all water sports, paragliding and white river rafting in the state until a policy is framed to regulate these activities. In an order dated June 18, the court directed the state government to ‘prepare a transparent policy in this regard within a period of two weeks’. The court also took note of rafting deaths every year due to capsizing of boat and said that it should only be permitted by highly trained professionals. The court remarked that ‘sports for pleasure cannot be permitted to end in disaster’ while adding that the state government could not permit the use of rivers without fixing reasonable charges and inviting bids in a transparent procedure. Tourism must be promoted but it is required to be regulated, the court said.