The National Green Tribunal today allowed camping at 25 sites along river Ganga in Rishikesh, saying it should be carried out in an eco-friendly manner rather than on a purely commercial basis. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Swatanter Kumar lifted the ban, which was imposed in December 2015, while accepting the management plan and regulatory regime submitted by the Uttarakhand government.<br/><br/>'The tribunal, which had prohibited camping activity in the<br/>entire belt from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh till the regulatory regime came into force, allowed it on 25 spots out of the 33 recommended by the state.<br/>It rejected eight sites, noting they fell within 100 metres from the middle of the river during the lean season<br/>flow.<br/>'It also directed the authorities concerned to keep an eye<br/>on 25 sites for compliance of its directions and said reports<br/>on camping and rafting activities be submitted to the state<br/>authorities every six months.<br/>