As the winter tourism season started in Shimla, local authorities have taken proactive steps to enhance tourist safety by cracking down on unauthorised adventure activities, especially illegal zipline setups in the region.
🔍 Surprise Inspections & Enforcement:
The District Tourism Development Officer (DTDO) of Shimla, Jagdish Sharma, carried out surprise inspections of adventure activity sites in areas like Jhamunda and Siddhpur in Narkanda, a popular destination for winter tourists. During these checks, officials found four zipline operations running without legal permission or registration.
📜 Illegal Operations Identified:
These ziplines and related adventure setups were being offered without licences, which are mandatory under the Himachal Pradesh Miscellaneous Adventure Activities Rules-2017 (amended in 2021). Operating adventure activities without approval not only violates state tourism laws but also poses serious safety risks to both visitors and locals.
📢 Notices and Orders Issued:
The tourism department ordered the closure of these four illegal zipline operations and issued official notices to the operators, directing them to remove all equipment within seven days. This ensures that no unsafe or uncertified structures remain operational during the peak tourist season.
🌲 Forest Department Involvement:
Officials have also informed the Kotgarh Forest Department, instructing them to prohibit installation of adventure structures on forest land — reinforcing environmental protection alongside tourist safety.
🛡️ Safety Requirements & Guidelines:
Tourism authorities have clarified that legal permission, technical inspections, safety certification, trained staff, and insurance coverage are all mandatory before any adventure activity — including ziplines — can be offered to tourists. Any activity lacking such approval is subject to penalties, closure, or legal action.
⚖️ High Court Support:
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has also backed strict enforcement, directing that all unauthorised adventure activities statewide be stopped immediately, and violators be punished according to the law.