The Centre has informed the Lok Sabha that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are among the Union Territories receiving technical support for water sports safety frameworks, even as multiple National Waterways across India are being used for such activities under standardised guidelines.
In a written reply, Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said safety standards and standard operating procedures developed by the National Institute of Water Sports in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management are being adopted by several states and Union Territories, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The Minister stated that major National Waterways currently being utilised for water sports include rivers such as the Ganga River, Sutlej River, and Indus River, along with others like the Chenab, Godavari, Kaveri, Krishna, Mahanadi, Narmada, Sabarmati, and Mandovi. These activities are being conducted under safety norms framed by NIWS–IITTM and implemented by respective state governments.
Highlighting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Minister said technical support has been extended to the Union Territory to strengthen safety mechanisms and policy frameworks related to water-based tourism. The islands also have a dedicated enforcement mechanism through the Tourist Safety Enforcement Team, responsible for ensuring compliance with prescribed safety standards.
He clarified that, at present, no formal proposal has been submitted to the Ministry of Tourism for exploring all 111 declared National Waterways specifically for water sports activities. Similarly, no proposal has been received for developing water sports infrastructure in Coastal Karnataka.
The Minister added that enforcement of safety regulations rests with respective State and Union Territory administrations. Monitoring is carried out through periodic inspections, audits, and designated enforcement teams based on local guidelines. In addition to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, similar mechanisms are in place in regions like Goa, Gujarat, and Odisha.
The Centre, through NIWS–IITTM, continues to conduct training and certification programmes in water sports disciplines such as scuba diving, surfing, parasailing, and canoeing. The institute serves as the nodal government body for capacity building and skill development in the sector.
The Minister further informed that some States and Union Territories, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, have approached NIWS–IITTM for setting up satellite centres aimed at enhancing training infrastructure and ensuring safer water-based tourism practices.
The statement places the Andaman and Nicobar Islands within a broader national framework of regulated water sports expansion, with an emphasis on safety compliance and institutional support.
