HC gives state three months to revise policy to regulate trekking camps

The Bombay High Court directed the state government to revise, within three months, the policy to regulate and monitor organisers of holiday and adventure camps.

A division bench of Justice Naresh Patil and Justice Bharati Dangre, while setting the time limit, said "Safety and security of the public at large must be one of the paramount considerations of the state. At the same time, state must take steps to promote and not discourage the participants of adventurous sports."

The direction was given after the court was informed that in 2015, the government had sought to relook the policy issued by it in 2014, but things had not moved forward. As per the policy, the government had made it mandatory for organisers to register themselves with the appropriate authority which was to be headed by a District Sports Officer. However, district committees could not be formed due to unavailability of sufficient experts in the field.

Avid trekker, Vasant Limaye, challenged the policy. Senior counsel Ram Apte appearing for him argued, "Adventure sports activities must be governed and regulated in a prescribed manner. However, the guidelines issued in the said policy notified through the government resolution issued by the tourism department are not practical."

As per the policy, operators have to register themselves and employ only qualified and experienced trainers and instructors. Specifications for use of equipment, a list of recognised institutions for training, and instructions on how medical risks could be minimised were set out. It has also laid down a code of conduct for the organisers and warned that any breach of conditions would result in cancellation of their registration and penal action.

This had followed while hearing a public interest litigation filed by a couple, Anil and Sunita Mahajan, whose only son Harshal (15) died on a trek-cum-adventure trip to Kullu-Manali conducted by a private operator.