Maharashtra Forts Grapple With Unregulated Adventure Tourism Sparking Safety Concerns
Maharashtra’s historic forts and scenic natural spots are increasingly becoming sites for unregulated adventure tourism, raising significant safety concerns among authorities. A recent dramatic rescue operation at Kalu Waterfall in Malshej Ghat starkly highlighted the dangers inherent in reckless thrill-seeking activities. Over the past few years, numerous groups, often operating without government approvals or adequate safety checks, have organized risky pursuits such as ziplining, rappelling, and cliff-jumping, effectively transforming these cultural monuments and treacherous terrains into makeshift adventure parks, thereby jeopardizing lives.
This growing trend includes activities like perilous ziplining between valleys, popular in areas like Lonavala (Duke’s Nose) and Junnar tehsil, with private operators charging substantial fees. Instances of individuals undertaking extreme stunts for social media content, such as a pre-wedding video shot between two ziplines, further underscore the unchecked nature of these operations. Authorities, including forest divisions, face immense challenges in controlling these activities. Officials note that their primary role is forest and wildlife protection, not managing large human crowds engaging in high-risk ventures, leading to stretched resources and limited effectiveness of existing measures like visitor restrictions or penalties.
Experts and mountaineers are advocating for a more assertive role from law enforcement, suggesting that strict action, including filing police reports, could deter violators. Crucially, there’s a strong call for the state government to formulate a comprehensive policy and establish a dedicated regulatory body or agency. Such an entity would be responsible for overseeing and controlling adventure tourism activities, ensuring safety standards, environmental protection, and the preservation of historical sites from potential damage or overcrowding. Without a robust framework, concerns remain that the situation could worsen, endangering more lives and jeopardizing Maharashtra’s natural and cultural heritage.
The proliferation of unregulated adventure tourism demands an urgent, structured approach to ensure visitor safety, preserve historical integrity, and promote responsible practices. Implementing a clear policy and dedicated oversight body is vital for safeguarding both human lives and Maharashtra’s irreplaceable natural and cultural assets.
