A family holiday to the popular tourist town of Manali turned into a harrowing ordeal for a Nagpur-based family after their 12-year-old daughter fell 30 feet during a zip line ride near Nehru Kund, sparking widespread concern over the safety of adventure tourism in Himachal Pradesh.
The incident, which occurred on June 8, came to public attention only after a distressing video of the fall went viral on social media. The victim, Trisha Bijwe, was midway on the zip line when the return cable snapped, sending her crashing onto a rocky ditch below. The horrifying footage shows Trisha plunging through the air before hitting boulders, leaving onlookers stunned and panicked.
Trisha was initially taken to Mission Hospital in Manali for emergency treatment. Due to the severity of her injuries — which include multiple fractures — she was referred to Chandigarh and eventually shifted to a private hospital in Nagpur, where she underwent surgery. Her condition is currently reported to be stable.
Manali Police Station in-charge Manish Sharma confirmed that while the incident did take place, no formal FIR was lodged as the family chose not to pursue legal action, opting instead for a private settlement with the zip line operator. “Since the parents declined to file a complaint, the case was not registered,” he said.
Despite the absence of a formal police case, the incident has ignited fierce public debate and cast a spotlight on the lax regulatory oversight in the adventure tourism sector. The Tourism Department, responding belatedly to the viral video and rising public anger, has now issued a show-cause notice to the zip line operator.
District Tourism Officer (in-charge) Chiranji Lal confirmed, “We have taken cognizance of the video circulating online. The operator has been served notice, and appropriate action will follow based on the inquiry.”
This is not the first time safety standards in Himachal’s booming adventure tourism industry have come under scrutiny. With thousands of tourists flocking to the hills every summer for activities like paragliding, river rafting, and zip lining, experts are now urging the government to tighten licensing protocols, mandate regular safety audits, and ensure trained staff are employed at such sites.
As Trisha continues her recovery, the incident serves as a grim reminder that the thrill of adventure should never come at the cost of basic safety.