Thrill vs safety: Karnataka plans rules for adventure tourism

Karnataka's tourism department is drafting adventure tourism guidelines after a 34-year-old man was seriously injured from a zipline fall in Dandeli.

Industry stakeholders raised the need for guidelines at a coastal tourism development meeting chaired by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

Patrick George of the Karnataka Tourism Federation cited unregulated water sports at Karwar, Gokarna, and Kundapur, and activities at homestays in Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, and Sakleshpur.

H Jagadeesh of Karnataka Tourism Society urged the government to introduce basic safety regulations and support smaller operators with infrastructure and training subsidies.

The guidelines will cover safety standards and specify activities suitable for different geographical terrains.