With Adventure Sports on the Rise, India Looks at Enhancing Safety

Image Source: Times Now

India’s adventure sports industry is booming like never before, with more people seeking thrills in places like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, and Goa. But as the money pours in, so do troubling reports of accidents and safety lapses.

Key Highlights:

The adventure sports sector is on track to cross ₹6,000 crore in annual turnover by 2026, growing at over 20% a year. Activities like trekking, river rafting, paragliding, and ziplining are drawing crowds, especially among young urban travelers.
Improved infrastructure and a growing middle class with more disposable income are fueling this growth. The number of adventure tour operators has jumped by nearly 20% in the past five years, creating thousands of new jobs.
However, safety is lagging behind. Recent incidents, including a viral zipline accident in Manali and multiple fatal paragliding crashes in Goa and Himachal Pradesh, have put the spotlight on the industry’s shaky foundations.
Many accidents are linked to poorly maintained equipment, untrained staff, and illegal or unlicensed operators. Some businesses reportedly use outdated gear discarded by other countries, and quality checks are often infrequent.

The government introduced new “Guidelines for Adventure Tourism” in 2023, but enforcement remains patchy. Fines exist for violations, but loopholes and easy licensing mean risky operators still slip through.

Industry insiders and experts are calling for stricter oversight, more frequent inspections, and better training for staff to keep up with the surge in demand.

For now, the thrill of adventure in India comes with real risks, and travelers are urged to be cautious and choose only reputable operators.

Source: Times Now News, India Today, AdventureWorx, Trayaan, Grand View Research