Of all the reasons we travel, the most important is to make memories. One way to achieve this is to do something simple while traveling. This may include activities that provide an adrenaline rush, such as river rafting or paragliding. But there is an underlying truth behind the thrill – the risks involved, especially when safety measures are ignored.

Take, for example, the tragic story of 27-year-old Shivani Debal from Pune. He visited Goa to explore and make memories, but his trip ended in disaster. On January 19, Shivani and her instructor, Sumal Nepali, 26, lost their lives when their paraglider plunged into a ravine soon after taking off from a cliff in Kerry village in North Goa. A video of the incident has also gone viral.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. On January 7, a similar tragedy occurred near Manali. Tadi Mahesh Reddy, a 32-year-old man, was attempting to take off at Raison when a sudden gust of wind caused his glider to descend instead of ascending, resulting in his death.

What do these accidents have in common? Both establishments offering these adventure sports were operating illegally. This alarming fact highlights a bigger issue in India.

Increase in adventure sports and tourism

With more Indians embracing travel, the demand for thrilling, adrenaline-packed activities has increased. Adventure sports like paragliding, skydiving, rafting and trekking have gained immense popularity. These activities cater to those who want excitement, whether it’s on land, in the air, or on the water. From mountaineering to hot-air ballooning, the options are endless.

The adventure tourism market in India was valued at approximately Rs 15,000 crore (USD 2 billion) in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 17 percent to reach Rs 35,000 crore (USD 4.6 billion) by 2028.

But…

This growing enthusiasm has been accompanied by a significant increase in accidents in tourist hotspots. January alone saw numerous incidents, many of which resulted in serious injuries or loss of life. Most paragliding accidents share two major factors: inexperienced pilots and illegal operators.

Travelers often have difficulty distinguishing between legitimate and unregulated operators. Without clear guidelines or visual certifications, they unknowingly put their lives at risk.

The risks are not limited to paragliding. On May 20, 2024, Ranjini N, a 35-year-old nurse, fell about 30 feet when the zipline cable snapped during an activity at the Jungle Trails Resort near Harohalli, Bengaluru. She was part of a group with coworkers. The investigation revealed that the resort lacked basic safety measures, such as helmets and first aid facilities. A police complaint was later filed against the resort management.

River rafting, another popular adventure sport, has also seen its share of tragic incidents. Earlier this month, in Rishikesh, a hub for adventure enthusiasts, a 33-year-old woman from Delhi drowned after she capsized in the “Golf Course” rapids. Caught in the strong currents of the Ganges, he could not be rescued in time, although three others on the raft survived.

These incidents underline the urgent need for stricter regulations and better enforcement in the adventure tourism sector. While the thrill of adventure sports is undeniable, it is important to ensure proper safety protocols and certification to prevent such tragedies.

Travelers should also be cautious and prioritize safety over cost or convenience when choosing operators. Only by addressing these issues can we strike a balance between excitement and safety in the world of adventure tourism.

Rules and Regulations: Current Scenario

In 2023, the Indian government introduced new ‘Guidelines’ for adventure tourism, a 170-page document that covers everything from age limits for different sports to insurance requirements. Operators violating these safety guidelines face fines ranging from Rs 5,000 for minor offenses to Rs 25,000 for serious violations. Repeat offenders may face harsher penalties or additional sanctions.

Apart from these central guidelines, some states have implemented their own regulatory measures to improve safety in adventure sports. This includes judicial instructions to implement security protocols.

However, according to Vaibhav Kala, founder of Aquaterra Adventures and senior VP, Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), many operators fail to follow these policies or find loopholes, often leading to such tragic incidents.

Rakesh, owner of a similar adventure sports establishment in Manali, who has been in the business for about 10 years, tells india today In Himachal Pradesh, many individuals (inexperienced) are entering the adventure sports business because it is ‘very easy’ to get a license. He said officials carry out quality checks on the equipment used in these activities.

“Most adventure tourism activities are safe when accredited and registered operators follow regulations and prioritize safety and responsible tourism. However, when these measures are not implemented, the consequences can be severe, just as they are elsewhere in the world,” says Vaibhav.

‘It’s just bad luck’

Rakesh Share that despite taking all precautions, such incidents do happen sometimes as one cannot dominate ‘Mother Nature’. Referring to these accidents as ‘bad luck’, Rakesh said such incidents can happen anywhere.

However, experts seem to disagree.

Zoho CEO, Sridhar Vembu, who recently lost his friend’s son in a paragliding accident in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, expressed concern about paragliding in the region, calling it ‘risky’ and ‘accident-prone’. Prone’ said. He stressed the need for regulators to keep a close eye on such incidents.

Vaibhav also pointed out that “the increasing number of accidents due to lack of knowledge, experience and proper registration mechanism, guidelines and protocols can be solved with effective management.” He urged that we should align with the central guidelines to ensure safety. There is a need to enforce the comprehensive regulations made and protect the country’s reputation as a major adventure tourism destination.

He stressed the need for integrated management governance for these activities in India. This includes mandatory registration of companies, guides and operators under a comprehensive safety management plan.

“India should act immediately to formulate comprehensive rules in line with the Central guidelines and advisories. The recent accidents in paragliding are yet another sterling example of why we must protect India’s reputation as a great adventure tourism destination,” Vaibhav concludes.

In the meantime, here’s a guide on how to stay safe during such activities. Read here.