Indian federal gov't urges states to identify selfie-danger zones

India's federal government has issued directions to its states calling on them to take steps to ensure that tourist attractions are selfie-safe, officials said on Thursday.

The Ministry of Tourism issued a letter on Wednesday urging states to go for proper signages to mark selfie danger zones at tourist venues.

The order has been issued citing the increasing number of deaths in India in the process of taking selfies at accident-prone locations in tourist destinations.

"The letter directs the authorities to first identify the accident-prone areas at the tourist spots and then put proper signages discouraging tourists from taking selfies at these places," a tourism ministry official said.

"It also impresses upon them to spread word about the hazards of clicking selfies at these designated places through public address systems and media, besides taking help from the volunteers to warn visitors."

Authorities earlier this year declared 16 no-selfie zones around India's financial capital, Mumbai city, after several deaths of people were reported while taking their own pictures.

The sites which include popular sea-fronts like Bandra Bandstand, Marine Drive and Juhu Chowpatty have been declared unsafe by the Mumbai police for the new medium of taking selfies with mobile phones.

The move was aimed at discouraging people from putting themselves at risk while taking their own pictures popularly known as selfies.

Last year, at least 15 selfie-related deaths took place in India.

In June this year, seven youth were drowned in river Ganga in Uttar Pradesh after a selfie session went awry.

On Tuesday, Indian cricketer Ravindra Jadeja was fined 300 U.S. dollars for taking selfie with lions at the Gir wildlife sanctuary of Gujarat.

The cricketer had gone to the wildlife sanctuary and later posted photos online showing him with his wife in front of endangered Asiatic lions. Endit