Adventure clubs ignoring safety norms

By Divya Sreedharan

BANGALORE, MARCH 10. Every summer, countless adventure clubs spring up in Bangalore promising trips on the wild side. But lack of rules and regulations has made adventure too risky for the uninitiated.

In fact, the mushrooming of these dubious ``clubs'' has even led the established ones to stop publicising their activities. Jayanagar-based Spark, one of the City's most reputed and oldest clubs, has stopped ``promoting its trips'', says Mr. Thanveer Kumar, Spark member.

``There are too many people doing the same thing,'' he points out and stresses that parents have to start questioning the credentials of clubs which advocate trekking and summer trips for children. Mr. Kumar points out that Spark, which has conducted expeditions to the Himalayas, is affiliated to the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF).

He agrees that though the IMF accredits its member clubs, there is essentially no control over clubs involved in other adventure activities. ``This is a peculiar situation. While there is awareness and sufficient media exposure about these trips, there is inadequate stress on safety and trained personnel,'' he says.

Mr. Kumar regrets that the 12-year-old General Thimmayya National Academy of Adventure (GETHNAA) set up to ``promote adventure in Karnataka'' has now become just another ``government body''.

His fellow Spark member and adventure enthusiast, Dr. Chittaranjan Andrade (Additional Professor at NIMHANS), says GETHNAA has no powers or jurisdiction over the increasing number of adventure clubs. ``When it does not have the statutory powers to investigate affiliated organisations, how will it scrutinise those that are not?,'' wonders Dr. Andrade.

Dr. Andrade believes that potentially dangerous sports such as river-rafting and rock climbing need stricter rules. ``Trekking and hill-climbing are not really dangerous,'' he says.

Free for all: But are there really such regulations? The City- based professional outdoors organisation, Ozone, which conducts paragliding, bungeejumping and other such activities, do not think so.

Mr. Vinay Sirsi, Director of Ozone, cites an example of lax regulations: ``One-and-a-half years ago, four people went river- rafting in western Chikmagalur. All of them lost their lives. But the person, who took the group there, is still in business and continues to conduct such trips.''

According to Mr. Sirsi, ``anyone who is anybody gets into the adventure business... irrespective of safety regulations. Since no investment is required, anyone is ready to take groups on treks and camps.''

The flood of such groups has led Ozone to dissociate itself from summer camps for children, Mr. Sirsi explains.

He alleges that there is no government infrastructure or official regulator for such groups. ``No one bothers about safety aspects or the necessity for trained manpower,'' he says.

He too believes that GETHNAA has degenerated into a ``totally bureaucratic organisation'. ``In the West, safety is paramount, especially when dealing with children. Here, its a free for all,`` he adds.

`Academy has powers': Meanwhile, Mr. A.M. Mahadevappa, GETHNAA Administrative Officer, does admit that there are a number of new clubs. But he maintains that the academy has authority to question those registered with it. ``I cannot use my powers over those that are not,'' he told The Hindu.

According to him, there are over 150 adventure clubs registered with GETHNAA, ''...but only about 50 or so are active.''

He stresses that the academy (founded in 1989) has functioned smoothly. ``There have been no serious complaints so far.''

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