India’s adventure tourism industry is riding a powerful wave of growth. From white-water rafting in Rishikesh to paragliding in Bir Billing, ziplining in Manali to scuba diving in Andaman, the thrill of the wild outdoors is luring millions. The sector is expected to reach an astounding ₹6,000 crore by 2026, with an annual growth rate exceeding 20%. And yet, beneath the adrenaline-fueled surface lies a dangerous truth: India’s adventure tourism industry is a booming business built on shaky safety foundations.
The Illusion of Safety: Accidents That Keep Repeating
The tragic zipline accident in Manali that left 12-year-old Trisha Bijwe severely injured is just one in a long list of mishaps. The harness rope snapped mid-air, sending her crashing onto a rocky slope. The incident, caught on video and widely circulated, reignited public outrage — a predictable cycle of media frenzy, momentary concern, and then silence. Until the next tragedy.
In the past year alone, five people have died in paragliding accidents across hotspots like Bir, Manali, Dharamshala, and Goa. Just weeks before Trisha’s fall, another zipline accident occurred in Bhor, Pune. In January 2025, a paragliding crash in Goa took the lives of both a young tourist and her instructor. In Rishikesh, rafting fatalities due to overloading and untrained guides are disturbingly frequent. Trekking deaths caused by poor route management and absence of emergency preparedness are on the rise. The stories keep piling up — and so do the body bags.
Recent years have seen a steady rise in high-profile, often fatal, accidents:
- Manali, Himachal Pradesh – Zipline Mishap (2025)
12-year-old Trisha Bijwe from Nagpur plunged into a gorge after her zipline harness rope snapped mid-air. The video of her fall went viral. She survived with multiple fractures and underwent surgery. Her father later confirmed no safety checks or emergency support were in place.
- Puri Beach, Odisha – Boat Capsize
Snehasish Ganguly, brother of former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, and his wife Arpita were involved in a boat capsize during a water sport. The district administration suspended all water activities afterward, citing safety lapses.
- Manali, Himachal Pradesh – Paragliding Death (2024)
Tadi Mahesh Reddy, a 32-year-old tourist, died when a sudden gust of wind caused his glider to crash instead of ascend. He died on impact during takeoff at Raison.
- Goa – Paragliding Crash (January 2025)
Shivani Dable, 27, from Pune, lost her life after her glider crashed into a ravine shortly after takeoff from a cliff in Keri village. Her instructor also died. Investigations revealed lax safety practices and unlicensed operators.
- Bir Billing, Himachal Pradesh – Harness Malfunction (2023)
A tourist died mid-air after the paragliding harness failed. It was later revealed that the operator was unregistered, and the equipment was outdated. Public outrage led to temporary crackdowns, but implementation remains spotty.
- Rishikesh, Uttarakhand – Rafting Accident (2017)
A tourist from Delhi died after a raft capsized near Garud Chatti bridge. The accident highlighted overloading and untrained guides. Authorities launched safety audits, but consistent enforcement has been lacking.
These tragedies underscore the same root causes: unlicensed operators, untrained staff, outdated equipment, and lack of emergency preparedness. And despite repeated deaths and injuries, nothing changes. There’s outrage, temporary bans, and promises of reform — until the next accident.
A Market Growing Without Guardrails
Bollywood movies like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Instagrammable reels have glamorised adventure travel. Today’s Indian traveller, young, urban, and experience-driven, is chasing thrills. The sector is forecasted to leap from USD 2.7 billion in 2023 to over USD 46 billion by 2030.
But the infrastructure hasn’t kept pace.
According to industry insiders, less than 5% of instructors in India are professionally trained. Many operators purchase discarded equipment from developed countries. During tourist surges, uncertified freelancers are hired en masse; anyone who can strap a harness and yell instructions qualifies. “Operators end up hiring whoever they can find. There’s no one really watching,” admits a Manali-based zipline vendor.
Even more disturbing is the lack of accountability. Many incidents are “settled” out of court. No case was registered in Trisha’s accident. After fatal crashes, temporary bans and magisterial probes are announced only for operations to resume within days.
The Regulatory Gaps: SOPs Without Implementation
The Ministry of Tourism issued Adventure Tourism Guidelines in 2018, including safety protocols, RAMS (Risk Assessment and Management Systems), SOPs, and mandatory training. Yet, in most states, these remain dormant.
India’s regulatory system is fragmented. Each state has its own tourism department, often working in silos. There is no central authority ensuring uniform safety audits, inspections, or instructor licensing. As a result, unlicensed operators and outdated equipment are rampant.
Even states that have adopted stringent guidelines, like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim, fail at enforcement. Officials conduct safety checks barely twice a year, and corruption allows unqualified vendors to get licenses or bypass audits entirely.
According to a tourist, “Do adventure sports in India only if you 100% believe the operators didn’t pay bribes for licenses.” That chilling advice reveals just how broken the system is.
Waivers and Warnings: The Legal Grey Zone
Adventure sports operators typically make tourists sign waivers, shifting liability to participants. As one tour guide bluntly put it, “If you don’t sign, you don’t do the activity.” Most tourists, unaware of their rights and the risks, comply.
Insurance is available, typically costing ₹300–500, but most tourists refuse. “Why pay ₹500 for a half-hour ride?” they ask. What they don’t realise is that insurance could cover up to ₹5 lakh in case of injury or death, but only certified operators can offer it.
The legal framework remains weak. Safety “guidelines” are not binding laws. Most accidents don’t lead to arrests or meaningful compensation. This lack of legal clarity emboldens reckless behaviour and normalises avoidable tragedy.
Expert Insights: What Needs to Change
A functional, safe adventure tourism industry requires three pillars: enforcement, education, and ecosystem.
1. RAMS as a Mandatory Framework
Risk Assessment and Management Systems (RAMS), widely adopted in countries like New Zealand and Canada, are critical. RAMS includes:
-
Hazard identification (e.g., gear failure, altitude sickness)
-
Likelihood and impact analysis
-
Equipment checks and route verification
-
Emergency response protocols
-
Role definition for guides and staff
Yet in India, RAMS is largely unknown or ignored.
2. National Registration and Licensing
A centralised authority like a National Adventure Sports Safety Council is urgently needed. This body should:
-
Mandate instructor certification via accredited programs (e.g., NSQF-aligned)
-
Conduct annual equipment audits
-
Enforce terrain-specific SOPs for land, air, and water-based activities
-
Maintain a public database of certified operators
3. Participant Education and Awareness
Tourists must learn to ask:
-
Is the operator registered and insured?
-
Are the guides CPR-certified?
-
What is the emergency evacuation plan?
-
When was the equipment last inspected?
Educational campaigns through schools, colleges (NCC/NSS), and travel platforms are crucial. Safety shouldn’t be viewed as scepticism but smart decision-making.
4. Accountability for Operators
Adventure operators should:
-
Use only certified guides and ISO-approved gear
-
Offer insurance by default
-
Maintain first aid, ambulances, and evacuation routes
-
Refrain from selling "easy" versions of difficult treks or dives
Operators that cut corners must face heavy penalties, suspension, or blacklisting.
A National Policy Framework: The Way Forward
The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) has proposed a National Adventure and Outdoor Activity Policy Framework, urging collaboration between:
-
Ministry of Tourism
-
Ministry of Environment & Forests
-
Ministry of Skill Development
-
State tourism boards and private stakeholders
This would enable:
-
Unified standards with regional adaptations
-
Formalised career paths for local guides
-
Seasonal and ecological protocols
-
Gender-sensitive, accessible infrastructure
Unless licensing is tied to safety compliance, rogue operators will continue to flourish, and tourists will continue to suffer.
Is It Worth the Risk?
India’s geography, youth population, and tourism potential make it a natural contender for adventure travel leadership. But without safety at the core, every ride becomes a gamble.
Adventure tourism is supposed to build confidence, not trauma. Unfortunately, for too many Indian families, that lesson comes too late.
So before you jump off a cliff or paddle down a rapid, ask the right questions. Check the equipment. Demand insurance. And never assume that if others are doing it, it must be safe.
India doesn’t need fewer thrills — it needs better safety systems. Until then, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara might remain just a movie, not a roadmap.
Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Vygr’s views.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved Powered by Vygr Media.
