Enjoy paragliding this season in Himachal Pradesh

People in Himachal Pradesh and local authorities are rejoicing the lifting of ban on paragliding that was imposed by the High Court earlier asking the State government to formulate proper guidelines for it.

By Rajiv Kimta

Manali, Nov.25 : People in Himachal Pradesh and local authorities are rejoicing the lifting of ban on paragliding that was imposed by the High Court earlier asking the State government to formulate proper guidelines for it.

With the tourist season approaching, the uplifting of the ban on paragliding has come as a major reprieve for all. Many tourists are enjoying paragliding here.

"I have heard of the place and wanted to come here since very long. I just loved doing paragliding in the mountains of Manali and felt like a bird. The experience is beyond any description, it was amazing," said Tapesh, a tourist.

"Though I have come here earlier also, but it was the first time that I did paragliding. My kids wanted to do so, therefore, I did it but it was good," said Mahesh, another tourist.

Tourist operators have welcomed the step and hope that it would motivate more tourists', the State witnesses a huge number of the tourists.

Paragliding instructors as well as those involved in the business are now paying extra care to the safety and security of the public following the court's directions.

"We have made provisions for all kind of paragliding. We have some 80 people in our staff and we take care of them. We have made arrangements for medical facility and ambulance. Moreover, we also cover our customers as well as staff members under insurance schemes," said Ailu Ram, a local paragliding instructor.

Paragliding has been considered as a boon for the State's tourism sector as it's a major attraction among tourists.

Locals, related to the paragliding business, and the tourism sector were facing a tough time since court ordered ban on paragliding acting upon a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) calling attention on paragliding being on without any much needed guidelines.

Concerned was raised on safety measures following the mid-air accident while paragliding, leading to the death of K.K. Tandon, a Chandigarh banker, on June 23, 2006.

Later, the State government formulated safety rules and defined flying rules as per international standards for paragliding and approached the State High Court with a request to give a relief in the interim orders of the court regarding ban on paragliding in the State.

Moreover, the State government was already claiming the right to hold World Cup Paragliding Championship at Billing.

Billing and Manali had been attracting thousands of foreigners and paragliding pilots annually.

ANI