**Executive Summary**
This document is the response from the Minister of Tourism to questions posed by Shri Anurag Singh Thakur regarding the promotion and safety of adventure tourism in India, specifically concerning the National Strategy for Adventure Tourism, safety measures, and accident awareness. The response highlights the role of State Governments/Union Territory Administrations in ensuring safety and convenience. It also details measures taken by the Ministry of Tourism, including the formulation of a National Strategy and safety guidelines.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Responsibility for Adventure Tourism:**
* The development, promotion, safety, and convenience of adventure tourism sites are primarily the responsibility of State Governments/Union Territory Administrations.
* **National Strategy for Adventure Tourism:**
* The Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy for Adventure Tourism.
* The Strategy focuses on developing adventure destinations, promoting safety, skill development, capacity building, and marketing.
* **Safety Guidelines and Courses:**
* The Ministry conducts Responsible Adventure Tourism Guide Courses.
* The Ministry, in association with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India, has formulated Adventure Safety Guidelines to create a comprehensive and standardized safety framework.
* **Implementation and Oversight:**
* Safety guidelines have been circulated to all States and Union Territories for adoption and formulation/updation of safety protocols.
* All States/Union Territories have been requested to maintain strict oversight of adventure activities and ensure adherence to safety regulations and licensing norms.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments/Union Territory Administrations**
* **Impact:** Primarily responsible for development, promotion, safety and convenience of adventure tourism
* **Action Required:** Adopt/formulate/update safety protocols based on the circulated guidelines and maintain strict oversight of adventure activities, ensuring adherence to safety regulations and licensing norms.
**Adventure Tour Operators**
* **Impact:** Required to adhere to safety regulations and licensing norms to ensure participant safety.
* **Action Required:** Adhere to all safety regulations and licensing norms.
**Ministry of Tourism**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the overall National Strategy and implementation of Adventure Tourism.
* **Action Required:** To continue to promote Responsible Adventure Tourism Guide Courses.
Key Entities Referenced
National Strategy for Adventure Tourism: A strategy formulated by the Ministry of Tourism to position India as a preferred global destination for adventure tourism.
Ministry of Tourism: The central government ministry responsible for the promotion and development of tourism, including adventure tourism, in India.
Adventure Safety Guidelines: Guidelines formulated by the Ministry of Tourism in association with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India to establish a framework for ensuring safety in adventure tourism.
States/Union Territories: The regional administrative divisions in India responsible for development and promotion of tourism, enhancing safety, and formulating safety protocols.
Adventure Tour Operators Association of India: Association working with the Ministry of Tourism to formulate Adventure Safety Guidelines.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.331
ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026
PROMOTION AND SAFETY OF ADVENTURE TOURISM
331. SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the steps taken by the Government to promote
adventure tourism in the country, including the implementation
status of the National Strategy for Adventure Tourism;
(b) the present status of growth of the adventure tourism sector,
including its estimated market size, annual growth rate, employment
potential and contribution to the overall tourism sector;
(c) whether the Government is aware of the increasing number of
accidents reported in adventure tourism activities such as river
rafting, trekking, mountaineering, ziplining and allied activities;
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor, including
gaps in regulation, safety standards and training of operators; and
(e) the details of the measures proposed to enforce mandatory safety
guidelines, accreditation and registration of operators, insurance
coverage and uniform regulatory standards across States to ensure
participant safety and the sustainable growth of adventure tourism
in the country?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (e): The development and promotion of tourism, including adventure
tourism, enhancing safety and convenience at adventure tourism sites is
primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/Union Territory
Administrations.
In order to position India as a preferred global destination for
Adventure Tourism, Ministry of Tourism has formulated National Strategy
for Adventure Tourism. The Strategy focuses on developing adventuredestinations, promoting safety in adventure tourism, skill development,
capacity building and marketing.
The Ministry of Tourism conducts Responsible Adventure Tourism
Guide Course through its Regional India tourism offices and in close
coordination with Adventure Tour Operators Association of India.
The Ministry of Tourism, in association with the Adventure Tour
Operators Association of India has formulated Adventure Safety
Guidelines with an aim to establish a comprehensive and standardized
framework to ensure safety in the Adventure Tourism sector across India.
These guidelines have been circulated to all States and Union Territories
for adoption and formulation / updation of safety protocols.
All the States / Union Territories have been requested to maintain a
strict watch on all adventure related activities and ensure strict
adherence to safety regulations and licensing norms by all the operators.
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