Scuba Diving poised for dramatic growth in India, says newly created Bangalore Dive Club
BANGALORE, June 11, 2009 -
Scuba Diving, the adventure in the fascinating world under water, is poised for dramatic growth in India, according to the Bangalore Dive Club, a first of its kind non-profit public institution being created by divers in the city to increase awareness of this sport and protection of the marine environment.
The Bangalore Dive Club, which is open to all certified divers and non-divers with an interest in the sport, gives a social platform to bring collective strength to efforts to provide opportunities for safe and enjoyable diving experiences, professional dive education and conservation of underwater ecology. The club formally opens its doors on June 14, 2009, with the launch supported by Karnataka's Tourism Department and Planet Scuba India, the country's first inland scuba diving centre.
"We believe the time has come for India to become a major force in the world of scuba diving. From the information we have, it has the potential of becoming a billion dollar industry over the next five years, “said Rohaan Sulaiman, the President of the Bangalore Dive Club.”We have created the first of its kind public organization, the Bangalore Dive Club, to ensure that this adventure follows all the global norms for safe and enjoyable underwater experience."
Sulaiman, an avid adventure enthusiast and entrepreneur of the city, said the Club will have many prominent citizens of Bangalore as its members. "There are many divers in the city, both among Indians and expatriates," he said, adding," The Club will provide a forum for exchange of ideas and information and encourages continuing education, environment conservation, good sportsmanship and cooperation with all other users of the marine environment."
The Club will take advantage of Bangalore's large adventure-loving populace to promote scuba diving and inland travel. "Today, the contribution of scuba diving may be minuscule, but in five years, with the plans under implementation, this adventure will be a significant contributor to sea-based tourism of the country," said Madhava Reddy, Secretary of the Club and founder Director of Planet Scuba India. Globally, over a million people around the world become scuba divers every year, but figures from various sources suggests this was around 1,000 for Indians, he said.
Reddy said that it was to herald the arrival of India as a significant destination for diving that PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors), a name synonymous with scuba diving training around the world, was making its first visit to India, represented by no less a person than the Vice President (Asia Pacific), Henrik Nimb. PADI will be making its own comments and announcements at a separate meeting with the media. PADI's visit and the launch of the Bangalore Dive Club also means that all diving centers in India will be present for the event on Sunday, June 14, making it the biggest ever gathering of divers, dive centers and dive professionals.
There are about 22 dive centers in the country at present, from less than five, five years ago – Mumbai, Goa, Murdeshwar, Lakshadweep, Pondicherry, Mahabaleshwar and the Andamans. "This number is expected to go up to 50 in three to five years," Reddy said, adding that most of the growth would come from Lakshadweep, Andamans and the coast from Mangalore to Karwar in Karnataka as new dive sites are discovered. "This is why the launch of the Bangalore Dive Club is a watershed moment in the history of scuba diving in India," he said.
According to Gilles Gomis, a French diving instructor and Diving Officer of the Club, lack of adequate infrastructure impedes the growth of diving in the country. "Scuba Diving activities in India are not easy to plan and execute for individuals. Safety rules are very important and you need a proper set of equipment, and secured spots to dive," he said, adding,” This is readily available for our members thanks to our main sponsor, Planet Scuba India, which will provide us with many services."
