Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), convened a meeting to discuss the Registration and Renewal Guidelines for Adventure Tour Operators (ATOs) in the region on September 23. 

Secretary of Tourism and Culture, Vikram Singh Malik, briefed the LG on the guidelines, which aim to promote high-quality, safe, eco-friendly, and sustainable adventure sports in Ladakh. The guidelines also seek to foster responsible practices and integrate bonafide adventure tour operators into an organised framework. Malik highlighted the different types of adventure activities offered in Ladakh—land-based, air-based, and water-based—and elaborated on the registration and renewal procedures, including the fee structure, validity period, and forming advisory, regulatory, and inspection committees. He also covered the eligibility criteria and documentation required for registration and renewal and the responsibilities of ATOs and guides.

Lt Governor Mishra proposed shortening the registration validity from five years to three to better ensure the quality of operators, with renewals being contingent on performance. He suggested aligning the start of the new tourist season in Ladakh with April 1. Additionally, he directed that the Secretary of the Tourism Department should serve as the Head of the Advisory Committee.

The LG emphasized the importance of enforcing all six mandatory eligibility criteria for registration and renewal, which include: the applicant’s proof of identity, possession of a Ladakh Resident Certificate, business incorporation details, proof of essential equipment, office address proof, and other certifications such as insurance details and no-objection certificates (NOCs). He also insisted that first-aid training be mandatory for ATOs.

He underscored the need for designated zones for paragliding activities and for ATOs to secure an NOC from the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, for conducting Para Motoring activities in Ladakh. Moreover, he instructed the Tourism Department to categorise adventure sports into two groups—high risk and very high risk—based on which children under 12 years may participate in these activities, accompanied or unaccompanied by an adult.

Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of LAHDC Leh, Advocate Tashi Gyalson, recommended expanding the scope of adventure activities to include snow-based activities such as snowmobiling/snow scootering, jet skiing, and sandboarding.

This comprehensive review aims to streamline and standardise adventure tourism in Ladakh, prioritising both safety and sustainability.