IAPRO asks Forest Department of Uttarakhand to develop new policy for rafting outfitters

Indian Association of Professional Rafting Outfitters (IAPRO) is in the process to solve issues such as short-term agreement to operate rafting campsites in Uttarakhand and excessive charges for operating campsites in Uttarakhand between rafting operators and the state Forest Department. The Association is involved in discussions with several Forest and Tourism department officials of Uttarakhand about the same. IAPRO has asked the Forest Department to develop a mid-term renewal policy which renews contract (of rafting operators) once in every ten years. Currently, the Forest Department has a policy that renews the rafting contract every season (September- June). The rafting operators are allowed now to operate campsites for one season only and they have to renew the contract for the next year’s operation, if needed. This information was divulged by Yosuf Zaheer, President, Indian Association of Professional Rafting Outfitters (IAPRO).

Zaheer further explained that today tourists are booking a year in advance and the rafting operators cannot provide their clients confirmed booking dates due to the permit issued by the Forest Department for just one season.