Pune: After a delay of almost a year, the State School Education and Sports Department has issued a revised Government Resolution (GR) for adventure tourism on July 26, in which the State government set rules, regulations and guidelines for all organisations dealing in adventure activities and tourism in the state.
The rules cover equipment, certifications and training, risk mitigation and safety procedures on any kind of adventure activities carried out on land, air or water.
The GR states that all the commercial and non-commercial organisations dealing in adventure activities and tourism in the State will have to register or else they will not be considered as a legal adventure and tourism company.
Umesh Zirpe of Giripremi, a mountaineering group, said, “This revised GR was delayed from over a year. It focusses on safety and security measures of the participants or tourists which the organisation should follow.”
“Soon two committees will be formed including local district sports officer and a state committee. The organisation has to fill up a simple form for registration which will be charged Rs 1,000. The local district sports officer will ascertain the organisation and a certificate will be given. Those organisations which are not certified by the local district sports officer, will not be allowed to carry out any adventure activities. Also, deadlines for registration will be started soon,” Zirpe added.
“After several requests and continuous follow-up, the State government released the much awaited GR, but the implementation is also necessary,” he said.
Civic activist Sandeep Khardekar said, “This GR was the utmost need for those who are travelling or trekking through a trekking organisation because these organisations mostly do not follow the safety rules and regulations which are needed for the participants. This GR will not only bring all organisations together, but it will also bring control over them. Apart from this, self discipline also plays an important role.”
“One of the most important features of the GR is making bodies like the Indian Maritime Board and the Forest Department accountable for the conduct of the activities. The GR has also told these agencies to identify accident-prone spots and take preventive measures to curb accidents,” Khardekar added.
