NT Reporter
Panaji
The government has formally withdrawn its 2023 notification permitting inland water sports during the monsoon.
The move follows the government’s submission to the High Court that the framework would be scrapped pending the formulation of a comprehensive policy.
The Captain of Ports Department has issued a notification rescinding the earlier order, which had allowed river tourism and water sports between June and September 15 during fair weather, subject to specified conditions.
The government said the notification was withdrawn because the Department of Tourism had not notified or demarcated designated monsoon water sports zones, despite the earlier framework requiring operators to obtain a No Objection Certificate from the department before commencing operations.
The government had issued the notification after stating that no objections or suggestions had been received following publication of the draft notification in the Official Gazette on June 30, 2023. It was introduced as part of the government’s policy to promote river tourism while allowing water sports in inland waters during the monsoon.
