Safety focus in adventure tourism norms
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Bhubaneswar: After the recent boat capsize incident involving former cricketer Sourav Ganguly's elder brother and sister-in-law in Puri, the state govt is set to introduce comprehensive safety measures through its new Adventure Tourism Guidelines-2025.
The guidelines, which were approved by chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi last week, will be notified next month.
"Safety is our topmost priority. The new guidelines will ensure strict compliance with international safety standards for all water sports activities across the state," tourism secretary Balwant Singh told TOI.
Despite having a 480-km long coastline and numerous water bodies, Odisha's water sports sector remains largely untapped, according to tourism industry sources.
"Currently, we have fewer than 10 licensed operators in the entire state. The new framework aims to attract more investors while ensuring public safety," another official said.
The incident at Puri has highlighted the need for stricter regulations. "We are making the National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS) certification mandatory for annual licence renewal. The new guidelines will introduce a multi-tier approval system.
Before granting operational licences, we will conduct thorough feasibility studies of proposed locations and verify the deployment of trained personnel," Singh said.
Sources said, water sports activities will be allowed in 7 major and 40 medium reservoirs, and 235 minor irrigation projects along with several rivers, Chilika lake and the sea.
Tourism professionals welcomed the new guidelines, but expressed concerns about implementation.
"Stricter safety measures are necessary. The govt should provide support for upgrading equipment and training staff," said Srimanta Kumar Dash, president of India-Japan Friendship Centre, an outfit involved in promotion of tourism activities in the state.
The tourism department plans to establish a state-level safety team for regular inspections. "Our goal is to develop Odisha as a premier water sports destination while maintaining the highest safety standards.
The new guidelines will supersede the existing Water Sports Guidelines-2018, marking a significant step toward modernising Odisha's adventure tourism sector," Singh said.
Sabir Bux, a water sports and adventure tourism promoter in Odisha, said, "Before launching water sports in the open sea, we should look for smooth backwater launching or landing areas for safe activities. Govt should identify such locations. We lack professional and trained manpower. These areas should be addressed by the govt."
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