The Centre on Wednesday directed all states to bar individuals from taking selfies in front of national memorials from August 12 to 18. The Tourism Ministry issued an advisory as part of security measures being put in place ahead of Independence Day celebrations, ANI reported.

Culture and Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma said: "I have written to all state governments, requesting them to introduce precautionary measures and declare 'Selfie Danger Zones' at tourist sites. We are taking up the issue very seriously." He also urged people to avoid trying to take photographs at dangerous locations, according to India Today.

In 2015, India reportedly had the highest number of deaths among people trying to take selfies – 15 of the total 27 in the world. Among them were a Japanese tourist who died after he falling on the stairs of the Taj Mahal and seven students who drowned in a lake in Nagpur after their boat capsized.