Adventure tourism is booming in India: The Dandeli accident shows why safety can't be an afterthought

A holiday in Dandeli turned into an emergency on July 3, when 24-year-old Kuber Surpur fell nearly 40 feet off a zipline at a resort in the Karnataka town, after a safety lock reportedly gave way mid-ride. He suffered multiple fractures and serious nerve damage, and the fall was caught on video by his own brother.

The incident has reopened a familiar question about adventure resorts in India: who's actually checking the equipment before tourists strap in?

Adventure tourism is booming, but oversight hasn't kept up

Adventure tourism has taken off across India in the last few years, from white-water rafting in Rishikesh to paragliding in Bir Billing, ziplining in Dandeli, and high-altitude trekking through the Himalayas. State tourism boards and private resorts have moved fast to cash in on the demand, and that speed is part of the problem.

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The Ministry of Tourism, working with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India, has laid out safety rules covering land, air and water activities, including regular inspections, certified guides and tested harness systems. On paper, that's solid. In practice, enforcement at the local level is patchy, and plenty of tourists end up booking with operators who were never properly checked in the first place.

What to check before booking

Check if the operator is actually certified

Before booking anything, confirm the operator is registered with the Ministry of Tourism or a recognised body like ATOAI. Ask to see the actual license and safety certificates rather than taking a website's word for it. Certified operators are required to follow standard procedures and perform regular equipment checks.

Look over the gear yourself

Take a moment to examine the equipment before you use it. Harnesses, carabiners, zipline pulleys, helmets and life jackets should show no rust, fraying or loose buckles. If anything looks old, damaged or makeshift, it's fine to walk away.

Insist on a real safety briefing

A proper operator will walk you through a full briefing before you go anywhere near the activity, led by a trained instructor. Make sure you understand how the safety locks and emergency brakes work, and what to do if something goes wrong. Don't proceed until every question has a clear answer.

Be upfront about health and stick to the limits

Tell the operator about any medical conditions, recent surgeries or physical limitations beforehand. Stick to the listed height, weight and age limits for each activity, since the equipment is built around those exact stress limits.

What tends to go wrong

Don't book based on discounts or good photos alone

Avoid choosing an activity purely because of a promotional deal or how it looks on social media. Heavily discounted packages sometimes mean corners cut on maintenance, staff training or replacing worn-out gear.

Don't push ahead in bad weather

Never pressure an operator to run an outdoor activity during heavy rain, strong wind or poor visibility. Bad weather significantly weakens harness grip, rope strength and overall stability.

Don't skip the reviews

Avoid booking with operators who have no verifiable customer feedback. Look specifically for reviews that mention instructor behaviour, safety practices and equipment condition, not just the scenery.

Don't tamper with equipment mid-activity

Never unbuckle straps, detach carabiners or attempt an unapproved stunt while the ride is in progress. The equipment is engineered for a specific setup, and changing that mid-air or mid-stream can cause it to fail.