Ministry of Tourism rolls out new adventure safety guidelines: All you need to know

The Ministry of Tourism has rolled out standardised adventure safety guidelines to curb mishaps and strengthen safety norms across adventure tourism destinations in India.

• Tourism Ministry enforces stricter safety rules for adventure tourism in India
• States and UTs urged to adopt national Adventure Safety Guidelines for operators
• Training courses launched to certify guides and boost safety standards

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With adventure tourism gaining momentum across India, the Ministry of Tourism has introduced tighter safety norms aimed at reducing accidents and standardising practices across the sector. The move comes amid rising footfall at adventure destinations and a corresponding increase in tourism-related mishaps.

Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha on February 2, 2026, Union Minister for Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that the responsibility for developing and promoting adventure tourism — along with ensuring safety, accessibility and infrastructure at adventure sites — rests primarily with State governments and Union Territory administrations.

National strategy to boost safe adventure tourism

To position India as a preferred global destination for adventure tourism, the Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy for Adventure Tourism. The strategy focuses on identifying and developing new adventure destinations, strengthening safety standards, enhancing skill development and capacity building, and promoting the sector through targeted marketing initiatives.

According to the Ministry, the strategy is aimed at ensuring that adventure tourism in India grows in an organised and sustainable manner, while prioritising visitor safety.

Standardised safety framework introduced

As part of these efforts, the Ministry of Tourism, in association with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), has formulated Adventure Safety Guidelines to create a comprehensive and standardised safety framework for the sector.

These guidelines have been circulated to all States and Union Territories, which have been advised to adopt them and update their existing safety protocols in line with the national framework. The guidelines are intended to act as a rulebook for adventure tourism operators across activities such as trekking, rafting, paragliding, mountaineering and other high-risk pursuits.

Mandatory compliance and strict monitoring

State governments and UT administrations have been asked to maintain strict oversight of adventure tourism activities in their jurisdictions. Authorities have been instructed to ensure that operators adhere to prescribed safety regulations and licensing norms, and that adventure sites are properly equipped to handle emergencies.

The Ministry has also emphasised the need for regular monitoring to prevent unauthorised or unsafe operations that could put tourists at risk.

Training and skill development for guides

To strengthen on-ground safety, the Ministry of Tourism conducts Responsible Adventure Tourism Guide Courses through its regional India tourism offices, in close coordination with ATOAI. These training programmes focus on safety protocols, emergency response, risk management and environmentally responsible tourism practices.

Officials said trained and certified guides are a key pillar of the government’s efforts to improve safety standards while enhancing the overall quality of adventure tourism experiences in the country.

With the introduction of a national strategy, standardised safety guidelines and structured training programmes, the government aims to ensure that India’s fast-growing adventure tourism sector remains both competitive and safe for domestic and international travellers.