**Summary:**
The Ministry of Tourism promotes coastal and marine adventure tourism through collaboration with State Governments and Union Territory (UT) Administrations. The Ministry supports States/UTs through schemes like Swadesh Darshan, Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), and Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development by providing financial assistance for tourism infrastructure development, including adventure tourism. Project proposals are evaluated based on scheme guidelines and Detailed Project Reports submitted by the States/UTs. In partnership with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), the Ministry has developed Model Adventure Safety Guidelines to establish safety standards within the adventure tourism sector. These guidelines have been disseminated to all States and Union Territories for adoption and implementation. States and UTs are urged to monitor adventure activities, enforce safety regulations, and ensure operators adhere to licensing norms. Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat provided this information in a written reply in Lok Sabha. Contact information: Sunil Kumar Tiwari, tourism4pib@gmail.com. Release ID: 2149254. Posted on July 28, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and promotion of tourism in India.
State Government: The government of an individual state within India. Responsible for tourism development within their respective state.
Union Territory UT Administration: The administration of a Union Territory in India, responsible for tourism development within the territory.
Swadesh Darshan: A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism focused on developing theme-based tourist circuits in India.
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive PRASHAD: A central sector scheme by the Ministry of Tourism focused on developing pilgrimage destinations in India.
Adventure Tour Operators Association of India ATOAI: An association of adventure tour operators in India, collaborating with the Ministry of Tourism.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where information related to tourism was presented.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: Union Minister for Tourism and Culture.
Ministry of Tourism
Promotion of Coastal and Marine Adventure Tourism
Posted On: 28 JUL 2025 3:30PM by PIB Delhi
Development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, including adventure tourism is undertaken
by the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. The Ministry complements the
efforts of States/UTs through various schemes and initiatives.
The Ministry of Tourism through its central sector schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan’, ‘Pilgrimage
Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central
Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ extends financial assistance to the State
Governments/UT Administrations for tourism infrastructure development in the country including
adventure tourism. The projects undertaken for development by the Ministry are identified in
consultation with State Governments/Union Territory Administrations/Central Agencies and are
sanctioned subject to submission of project proposals by them, their adherence to relevant scheme
guidelines and submission of suitable Detailed Project Reports.
The Ministry of Tourism, in association with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India
(ATOAI) 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.
This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh
Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
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Sunil Kumar Tiwari
tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com
(Release ID: 2149254)