India - Apply for River Rafting or Kayaking Permit

Advertisement

Procedure

Apply In-Person:

1. To Apply for River Rafting or Kayaking Permit, the applicant has to approach the State department of Tourism– link
2. An application form will be provided to the applicant by the concerned officer.
3. The applicant has to fill in all the necessary details in the application form. (Incomplete applications are not accepted)
4. Make sure that the applicant has attached all the necessary documents that are mentioned in the “Required Documents” section of this page.
5. The applicant has to attach the photocopies of the required documents along with the application form while submitting.
6. Submit all the documents with the completed form to the concerned officer.
7. The applicant has to pay the prescribed fee as requested by the authority.
8. After receiving the application, the concerned authority will check the submitted application and document set. If all are in place, the application will be accepted.
9. All applications are processed within a reasonable time, having regard to the circumstances of each application, including the completeness of information and documents submitted to the authority by the applicant.
10. The authority may seek additional information from an applicant if this is necessary to assess the application. The authority does not need to deal further with an application until the applicant has provided this additional information.
11. Then the authority will conduct an onsite inspection and check the safety measures that are taken.
12. Once the application meets all the requirements, the authority will issue the license.
13. This entire process can be completed within 30 days or as per the timeline advised by the respective department authority.

Advertisement

Required Documents

• Business Registration Documents
• Tourism Department Application Form
• Location Details
• Safety Plan
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report
• Insurance Coverage
• Equipment Specifications
• Qualifications of Staff and Guides
• Emergency Response Plan
• Proof of Payment
• Business Operating Plan
• Local Community Engagement
• Photographs - Provide photographs of your equipment, launch points, safety measures, and any other relevant aspects of your operation.
• Any Other Relevant Documents - Depending on the specific requirements of the local authorities, you might need to submit additional documents or certificates.

Office Locations & Contacts

Ministry of Tourism
Room No.119, Transport Bhawan, 1, Parliament Street,
New Delhi - 110 001
Email - as.tourism@gov.in
contact - 011-23715084
contact link – link
States office - link

Eligibility

• To be eligible for a river rafting or kayaking operator permit, you need to have a legally registered business entity. This could be a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability partnership (LLP), or private limited company.
• Many states require operators to demonstrate a certain level of experience and expertise in river rafting or kayaking. This might involve having certified guides and instructors with relevant qualifications and training.
• Eligible operators must have a comprehensive safety plan in place. This includes protocols for participant safety, equipment maintenance, emergency response, and first aid.
• Some areas have strict environmental regulations to protect the local ecosystem. Operators need to show an understanding of and commitment to adhering to these guidelines.
• Eligible operators typically need to have appropriate insurance coverage, including liability insurance to cover accidents, injuries, and potential legal claims.
• Your equipment, such as rafts, kayaks, life jackets, helmets, and other gear, must meet safety standards set by the relevant authorities.
• In ecologically sensitive areas, you might need to conduct an EIA to assess the potential impact of your operations on the environment. Meeting the requirements of the EIA is crucial for eligibility.
• Some authorities might consider your engagement with local communities and whether your operations are being conducted with their consent and cooperation.
• Demonstrating financial stability is often a requirement. This could involve submitting financial statements or proofs of funds to ensure that your business can operate sustainably.
• Eligibility is closely tied to your willingness and ability to comply with all relevant regulations, guidelines, and permits associated with river rafting or kayaking activities.
• Having certified guides and instructors is often a requirement. Demonstrating that your staff is trained in water safety, first aid, and emergency response can contribute to your eligibility.
• Some authorities might review your track record as an operator, looking at your past operations, safety records, and any previous compliance issues.

Fees

• The applicant has to pay the prescribed fee as per the authority’s request.

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

• This entire process can be completed within 30 days or as per the timeline advised by the respective department authority.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

• Applicants must complete the application form before submitting it. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• Applicants must provide genuine information while applying for this procedure.

Required Information

• Name of the applicant or firm and its registered address
• Contact No
• Email Address
• Date & Year of Establishment
• Whether the firm is a proprietary/partnership/private or public limited concern (enclose)
• Month and date when the firm was registered with concerned Federation or Association in India
• Experiences in activity
• Name of rivers for which rafting permit is required
• Details of Fees paid
• List of equipment possessed in separate sheet
• Name of Guides approved by the Directorate of Tourism having been employee with their address

Need for the Document

• A River Rafting or Kayaking operator permit in India is an official authorization granted by local or regional authorities that allows a business or individual to operate commercial river rafting or kayaking activities on specific water bodies such as rivers, streams, or lakes.
• This permit is required to legally conduct guided river rafting or kayaking trips for tourists and adventurers.
• It ensures that the operator adheres to safety, environmental, and regulatory standards while providing a safe and enjoyable experience for participants.

Information which might help

River Rafting or Kayaking operator permit in India:

• The permit grants legal permission to conduct commercial river rafting or kayaking activities in a designated area, usually a specific river or water body.
• To obtain the permit, operators must demonstrate compliance with safety measures, equipment standards, environmental regulations, and other guidelines set by the local authorities.
• In ecologically sensitive areas, operators might need to provide an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to assess the potential environmental impact of their activities and ensure responsible tourism.
• Permit eligibility often requires operators to have certified guides and instructors, proper equipment, insurance coverage, and relevant experience in river rafting or kayaking.
• Operators need to provide business registration documents and other relevant paperwork to prove the legitimacy of their business.
• Regulatory authorities often conduct inspections and monitoring to ensure that operators are following safety measures, adhering to environmental regulations, and operating responsibly.
• The permit might have a specific validity period, and operators need to renew it regularly by submitting updated documentation and ensuring continued compliance.
• Some permits might require operators to engage with local communities and obtain their consent or cooperation for conducting river rafting or kayaking activities.
• The permit might stipulate requirements for liability insurance coverage to protect both participants and the operator against accidents and injuries.
• River rafting and kayaking operator permits promote adventure tourism and contribute to the local economy by attracting tourists interested in outdoor activities.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

Place some external links which might help.

Others

Before permitted to carry out the operation and at the time of inspection the Technical Committee shall check each equipment and shall get the same stamped through the Tourism Department, namely: -

• Two rafts with no leaks
• Hard body lifejackets – (depending upon capacity of a boat)
• 7 Paddles and 2 guide paddles per boa;
• Two frames
• Six oars, preferably wooden oars (optional)
• Helmets depending upon capacity
• Three throw bags
• Two Pumps
• Two Flip Lines
• Two repair Kits
• Two First Aid Kits
• Wetsuits during winter i.e. during November to February (optional);
• Garbage bags to be always carried
• Insurance Cover for crew members;
• Straps
• Bowline
• Dry Bags
• Communication set up for rescue
• Any other thing decided by the Technical Committee
• Special inflatable raft minimum 10ft and maximum 14ft which are compartmentalized and unsinkable. They should be manoeuvred by an oar or paddle combination.
• Sufficient ration
• Carrying capacity of a raft shall limit to 7-10 persons per boat.