**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1313, answered on July 28, 2025, by the Minister of Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, regarding the safety framework of adventure tourism, the Ministry of Tourism clarified its role and actions. The Ministry does not maintain specific data on accidents, injuries, or deaths within the adventure tourism sector, as the development, promotion, safety, and convenience at adventure tourism sites are primarily the responsibility of individual State Governments and Union Territory Administrations.
However, the Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), has formulated Model Adventure Safety Guidelines. These guidelines aim to establish a standardized safety framework for the adventure tourism sector nationwide and have been circulated to all States and Union Territories for adoption, formulation, or updating of their respective safety protocols.
The Ministry has urged all States and Union Territories to closely monitor adventure activities and ensure strict compliance with safety regulations and licensing norms by all adventure tourism operators. The response did not provide specific details on the adoption and implementation status of the Model Law on Adventure Tourism across States/UTs, enforcement of mandatory registration and insurance coverage, guidelines for mandatory training, certification, and licensing of guides and operators, or alignment with global best practices in adventure tourism safety.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and promotion of tourism in India.
Adventure Tourism: A type of tourism involving challenging or risky outdoor activities, often in remote or exotic locations.
SHRI TANGELLA UDAY SRINIVAS: Member of Lok Sabha who raised a question about the safety framework of adventure tourism.
SHRI APPALANAIDU KALISETTI: Member of Lok Sabha who raised a question about the safety framework of adventure tourism.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Tourism who answered the questions about the safety framework of adventure tourism.
Adventure Tour Operators Association of India: An association of adventure tour operators in India that collaborated with the Ministry of Tourism to formulate Model Adventure Safety Guidelines.
Model Adventure Safety Guidelines: A set of guidelines formulated by the Ministry of Tourism and the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India to ensure safety in the Adventure Tourism sector across India.
States and Union Territories: The federated units of India, responsible for the development, promotion, safety and regulation of tourism including adventure tourism.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1313
ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
SAFETY FRAMEWORK OF ADVENTURE TOURISM
1313. SHRI TANGELLA UDAY SRINIVAS:
SHRI APPALANAIDU KALISETTI:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the number of accidents, injuries or deaths
reported in the adventure tourism sector during the last five
years, activity and State/UT-wise;
(b) whether any safety audits or investigations were conducted in
these cases and the findings and corrective actions taken and if
so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has circulated a Model Law on
Adventure Tourism and if so, the details thereof along with the
status of its adoption and implementation, States/UTs-wise;
(d) whether the mandatory registration and insurance coverage by
adventure tourism operators is being enforced, and if so, the
details thereof;
(e) whether the guidelines exist for mandatory training,
certification, and licensing of adventure tourism guides and
operators to ensure safety standards and if so, the details
thereof; and
(f) whether India’s adventure tourism safety framework is aligned
with global best practices and if so, the details thereof along
with proposed improvements?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (f): Ministry of Tourism does not maintain data on accidents
caused while participating in adventure tourism.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.
The Ministry of Tourism, in association with the Adventure Tour
Operators Association of India has formulated Model 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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