Kullu-Manali to have 6 more paragliding sites

MANALI: Tourist destination Kullu-Manali, which is internationally renowned for adventure sports, may soon become the paragliding hub of the country as six new paragliding sites have been explored by the technical committee of state government.

Paragliding in Solang (File photo)

A technical committee comprising of experts from different fields are carrying out recce of Kullu district and taking test flights to check feasibility of paragliding in various locations of the district. Seven sites have been tested and six of them have technically been given preliminary approval by the committee. The interesting thing is that all the takeoff and landing sites are private lands and the owners want their lands be utilized for the purpose.

Tourism deputy director Rattan Gautam said Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports director Captain Randhir Singh Salhuria is the head of the technical committee while he himself is observing the test flights and all the technical works. “Majhach to Shanag, Majhach to Burua, Niyalag to Pangan, Falayan to Dobhi Bihal, Babeli to Bihal and Talaiti to Talogi test flights have been successful. A test flight in Kothi faced some problems due to high air pressure,” he said.

The committee is now recording the accurate coordinates of the takeoff and landing sites, collecting NOCs and completing paper works. The proposal will be submitted to the state government for final approval. Once approved, Kullu will have multiple paragliding sites and adventure enthusiasts will have many options to choose from basic, moderate or thrilling flights.

Kullu district had first only one authorized paragliding site at Solang near Manali. Paragliding here has been banned by National Green Tribunal since July 6 when it had passed order to ban all commercial activities in the area. Manali is said to be the source of paragliding in the country. Since July 2015, Kullu does not have approved paragliding site which is disappointing adventure enthusiasts and harming the tourism. Once approved, Kullu will again have multiple paragliding site and the region will be developed as paragliding hub of the country.
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