Tourism Minister K J Alphons launched the Government guidelines on adventure tourism in India.

Releasing the guidelines in New Delhi yesterday, Mr Alphons said, India has immense potential for adventure tourism ranging from the Himalayas to the coastal regions. He said, these guidelines are a beginning to building adventure tourism in India.

AIR correspondent reports that these guidelines on safety and quality norms have been formulated along with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India in an effort to make adventure sports safer.

The aim of this initiative is to help adventure tour operators understand and execute safety guidelines in a better manner. These guidelines cover land, air and water-based activities which include mountaineering, trekking, bungee jumping, paragliding, kayaking, scuba diving, river rafting and many other sports. The guidelines codify the standard operating procedures and instructions for risk mitigation and emergencies as well as provide for details like safety precautions, training required and insurance. It covers the role of a guide, important equipment required, inspections and maintenance process, operating instructions and medical safety and others.