12-yr-old injured as zipline snaps in Manali; minister says operator did not have permit
A horrifying zipline accident in the popular tourist town of Manali, Himachal Pradesh, has raised serious concerns about the unregulated state of adventure tourism in India. A 12-year-old girl from Nagpur, identified as Trisha Bijwe, sustained serious injuries when a zipline cable snapped mid-air, sending her plunging around 30 feet into a rocky gorge.
The incident occurred on 8 June 2025 near Nehru Kund, a picturesque area in Manali often visited by tourists looking for thrill-based activities. What was supposed to be a moment of fun and excitement quickly turned into a nightmare — captured on camera and widely circulated across social media platforms.
🧒 Victim Identified as Nagpur Girl on Vacation
Trisha Bijwe was in Manali with her family, enjoying a summer vacation. Her zipline ride, however, ended in disaster when the harness or rope supporting her snapped just moments after the ride began. In the disturbing video, she can be seen mid-air before suddenly falling into a rocky, tree-covered slope beneath the setup.
Eyewitnesses described the moment as “traumatizing.” Some tourists nearby rushed to help, while locals quickly called for an ambulance. Trisha was initially treated at Mission Hospital in Manali, where doctors diagnosed multiple fractures. She was later shifted to PGIMER Chandigarh, and finally airlifted to Nagpur, where she continues to recover.
According to family sources, Trisha is now out of danger and has been discharged, but she will require ongoing care, including physiotherapy and trauma counseling.
⚠️ Operator Had No Permit, Says Minister
In the aftermath of the incident, Yadvinder Goma, the Himachal Pradesh Minister for Youth Services and Sports, made a startling revelation: the zipline operator did not have a permit to run the ride.
Speaking to reporters, the minister confirmed that the operator had no legal permission from either the Tourism Department or the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Mountaineering Institute, both of which are required to authorize such setups. “This zipline was running illegally,” Goma said. “No safety audit had been conducted. This is a complete violation of the adventure tourism norms.”
The local administration has since begun an investigation into how such an unauthorized setup managed to operate for so long in a tourist-heavy region without being noticed by the authorities. Officials say the operator has fled, and a police case has been registered.
🛑 Growing Concerns Over Unregulated Adventure Tourism
The Manali zipline accident has reignited a debate over the safety of adventure sports in India. Despite increasing popularity, many ziplining, paragliding, and rafting operators run without proper licenses, insurance, or technical audits.
Adventure tourism is a multi-crore industry in hill stations like Manali, Rishikesh, and Auli. However, the lack of centralized oversight and enforcement allows rogue operators to function with minimal or no safety equipment. According to a report by the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), over 70% of small adventure setups in India lack basic certification.
“There are clear guidelines,” said a senior tourism officer, “but most states don’t have a mechanism to implement them. Inspections are rare, and bribes keep unlicensed setups running.”
📹 The Power of Video: How Social Media Amplified the Story
The incident went viral after a bystander recorded the video and posted it online. The clip, lasting just a few seconds, shows the harness breaking mid-ride and Trisha tumbling downward. While distressing, the footage played a key role in prompting swift administrative action.
Online outrage followed, with parents, tourism experts, and citizen groups calling for stricter safety laws. Many shared stories of near-misses and illegal setups they had encountered on previous trips to Himachal Pradesh and other tourist spots.
🛡️ What Needs to Change?
The Manali incident should serve as a wake-up call. Regulatory loopholes have existed for years, but action has been reactive — only after tragedies strike. Experts are now urging the government to implement the following steps:
- Mandatory Licensing: All adventure operators must register with the tourism department and undergo annual checks.
- Safety Audits: Each setup should be certified by engineers and adventure sport experts.
- Insurance Coverage: Mandatory insurance for participants and operators alike.
- Trained Staff Only: Only certified instructors should be allowed to operate rides.
- Dedicated Helpline: A toll-free number for tourists to report illegal or dangerous setups in real time.
👨👩👧 Family Seeks Justice, Public Demands Accountability
Trisha’s parents have expressed gratitude for the support received from doctors and well-wishers across the country. However, they are now demanding justice. “Our daughter could have died,” said her father. “Someone must be held accountable.”
In response, the Himachal government has promised “strictest possible” action against the culprits. The local administration has begun a safety audit of all adventure activities in and around Manali, and many unauthorized setups have already been shut down.
✍️ Conclusion
The Manali zipline accident is a grim reminder that when thrill-seeking meets negligence, the cost can be a child’s life. While Trisha was lucky to survive, not every story ends this way. It is now up to the authorities to ensure such incidents never happen again — by regulating, auditing, and enforcing the rules with zero tolerance for violations.
