Maharashtra cabinet clears Adventure Tourism Policy; Aaditya Thackeray says tourists safety topmost priority

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra cabinet on Wednesday cleared the Adventure Tourism Policy for the state, under which a regulatory framework will be drafted for such activities keeping in mind the safety of the tourists.
According to the policy, operators in the state who want to conduct these activities will have to register themselves with the state tourism department by fulfilling several criteria. “We want these activities to be conducted legally by registered operators with all the safety guidelines in place. The safety of the tourists is the topmost priority, “said Aaditya Thackeray, tourism minister.
He said that separate regulations have been drawn up for land, air and water-related activities. A senior official from the department said that since the policy is new, the state will provide a provisional registration for these operators, after which they will have to ensure that final registration is obtained by fulfilling all the listed down requirements.
”This is being done to ensure that there are no fly-by-night operators who are conducting such activities without adequate safety protocols. Detailed guidelines like having trained staff, medical aid, quality of safety equipment will be cleared before the final registration is given,” said the official.
Officials said that fatal accidents of tourists during paragliding or trekking with unverified operators prompted the department to come up with the policy.
Division level and state-level committees have been created that will monitor the implementation of the policy. “Agencies who are not registered will not be allowed to operate. And if they are found to be operating, police action will be initiated against them,” said an official.
Officials said that the policy will not be applicable to competitions, professional expeditions and jungle and wildlife activities as they are governed by the forest department.