Bir-Billing (KANGRA): Himachal Pradesh has reached a significant milestone by inaugurating Asia’s first paragliding school at Bir-Billing, a globally recognised paragliding destination in Kangra district.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated the Rs 9 crore facility, which aims to provide world-class training and enhance safety standards in the adventure sport.
Work began in 2015 during Virbhadra Singh’s tenure
The paragliding school, funded by the Ministry of Tourism in 2015 during the tenure of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, was completed three years ago.
However, operational delays arose due to the absence of regulatory guidelines, which have now been finalised. The school is expected to train over 100 youths annually, contributing to the region’s tourism and employment sectors.
To ensure top-notch training, the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department has begun appointing qualified instructors.
The move comes after the Chief Minister’s visit to Bir-Billing in October 2024, during which he emphasised the need to commence operations promptly to attract paragliding enthusiasts from across India and abroad.
Aim to check deaths during paragliding
In the past, the lack of official training institutions and regulatory oversight led to frequent accidents, with reports indicating that more than 30 pilots and tourists lost their lives in paragliding mishaps over the past decade.
The absence of clear guidelines also resulted in the proliferation of unauthorised private paragliding schools in the area.
With the opening of this government-run institution and the enforcement of new paragliding regulations, Himachal Pradesh aims to establish Bir-Billing as a premier hub for adventure sports while ensuring the safety of both tourists and pilots.
The state government is also planning to introduce a structured certification programme for aspiring pilots to standardise training procedures.
