Manali, June 15: A shocking video of a 12-year-old girl plummeting 30 feet from a malfunctioning zipline near Nehru Kund in Manali has gone viral, raising fresh alarms about the state of adventure tourism safety in Himachal Pradesh.
The girl, identified as Trisha, was reportedly mid-course on the zipline when the cable snapped, sending her crashing to the ground. Eyewitnesses said the horrifying incident unfolded in seconds, while bystanders rushed to help as she lay injured.
Trisha was initially treated at a local hospital in Manali and later referred to a facility in Chandigarh. She has since been moved to Nagpur, where she continues to receive treatment. Her condition is currently stable, according to officials.
Police confirmed that Trisha’s father, Prafful Vijve, has chosen not to file a legal complaint. “I am focusing on her recovery right now. I will take full responsibility for her treatment,” he reportedly told authorities.
The incident has triggered widespread outrage on social media and revived long-standing concerns over lax safety standards, inadequate inspections, and the involvement of minors in high-risk adventure sports.
“This is not the first time questions have been raised about safety protocols in adventure tourism zones,” said a senior official in the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department. “We will be conducting a thorough investigation into the matter.”
However, the department has yet to issue a formal statement on whether the operator involved in the zipline activity will face any criminal negligence charges. The absence of immediate accountability has only intensified public demand for stricter enforcement of safety norms in tourist hubs like Manali.
Adventure tourism is a major draw in the region, but repeated mishaps have brought regulatory lapses into sharp focus. Industry experts say clearer licensing protocols, mandatory safety audits, and age restrictions must be enforced to prevent such incidents.
Meanwhile, locals and visitors alike remain shaken by the incident. “It was terrifying. The child could have died. There were no visible safety backups,” said a tourist who witnessed the fall.
As the investigation unfolds, questions continue to mount over the accountability of tourism operators and the government’s role in ensuring that thrill does not come at the cost of young lives.
