Dehradun, June 21 -- The state government has prepared draft regulations to strengthen safety standards, fix operational parameters and introduce a formal mechanism for bungee-jumping activities in the state, officials said on Saturday. The proposed framework will cover infrastructure and equipment standards, staff training and qualifications, safety norms, emergency response protocols, record maintenance and inspection procedures. It will also include provisions for monetary penalties and cancellation of licences for violations. Tourism secretary Dheeraj Garbyal said the draft had been prepared after consultations with stakeholders and experts and was expected to be implemented after obtaining cabinet approval within a month. "We have been working on the regulations for the past few months," Garbyal said. He added that the tourism department will become the nodal authority once the regulations come into force. District administrations are currently in charge of monitoring bungee-jumping activities. Operational standards will be aligned with internationally accepted norms, including those followed in New Zealand, one of the world's leading destinations for commercial bungee-jumping, said the secretary. "Parameters for the structures and equipment will be fixed. The staff and operators engaged in the activity will have to be properly trained and possess adequate experience. The regulations will also prescribe eligibility criteria and safety requirements for participants," he said. Garbyal said elderly participants may need to furnish a medical fitness certificate before undertaking a jump. "We will ensure that people are informed about the risks involved, particularly if they suffer from heart ailments, high blood pressure or other medical conditions," he said. The regulations will also mandate periodic inspection and certification of equipment and structures, maintenance of operational records and standard operating procedures for emergencies and rescue operations. "We will introduce provisions for monetary penalties and cancellation of licences if the regulations are not followed," Garbyal added. The move comes amid growing concerns over safety standards in the adventure tourism sector. The stretch between Rishikesh and Devprayag (Tehri Garhwal) has emerged as a major hub for adventure sports, including bungee jumping. On Monday, a 21-year-old man from Dehradun died shortly after undertaking a jump near Devprayag in Tehri Garhwal district. Officials said he complained of severe chest and abdominal pain and experienced breathing difficulties after returning to the platform. His condition deteriorated and he was declared dead at a local health facility. In another incident on November 12 last year, a 23-year-old man from Gurugram suffered critical injuries after a bungee rope snapped mid-air during a jump in Rishikesh. In May, HT reported that the state was considering a comprehensive regulatory framework for trekking and mountaineering, including mandatory registration of operators, compulsory certification for guides and measures to enhance safety and environmental protection in ecologically sensitive Himalayan regions....