MANDI, January 7 (Munish Sood)
A 31-year-old tourist from Hyderabad, Mahesh Reddy, lost his life following a paragliding accident at Raison in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh.
The incident occurred when strong winds caused the paraglider to plummet from a height of 25-30 feet, resulting in severe injuries to Reddy.
He was initially taken to a private hospital in Bhuntar and later referred to Ner Chowk Medical College in Mandi due to his critical condition, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
Upon receiving the report, the local police arrived at the scene and took custody of the body. Kullu Superintendent of Police Kartikeya Gokulchandran stated that an investigation was underway and the body would be handed over to the family after a postmortem examination.
Concern over safety measures for adventure sports
A series of paragliding accidents have taken place in the Kullu region, raising concerns about the safety measures in place for adventure sports.
- • February 11, 2024: A 26-year-old tourist from Telangana, Navya, died after her harness reportedly loosened midair during a tandem paragliding flight at Dobhi in Manali subdivision. She fell onto the concrete roof of a house and died on the spot. The pilot managed to land safely. A case of negligence was registered against the pilot.
- • December 24, 2023: Suraj Sanjay Shah, a 30-year-old tourist from Maharashtra, was killed in a paragliding mishap at Dobhi. The incident was attributed to equipment failure.
- • June 15, 2022: Aditya, a 20-year-old from Ambala, and pilot Kishan, 24, lost their lives when their paraglider crashed near the take-off site in Dobhi. The crash was under investigation for potential lapses in safety protocols.
- • November 18, 2019: Arvind, a 27-year-old tourist from Chennai, died after falling from a paraglider when his harness reportedly broke mid-flight. The incident occurred in the Kullu region and highlighted concerns about equipment maintenance.
These incidents have prompted authorities to scrutinise the safety standards of paragliding operators in the region. Following Navya’s death in February 2024, the Kullu District Tourism Development Officer, Sunayna Sharma, mentioned that the pilot involved was registered and his equipment was approved. However, a magisterial inquiry was ordered and flying activities at the Dobhi site were suspended until further notice. 
Calls for stricter regulations amid recurring accidents
The recurring accidents have led to calls for stricter regulations and regular inspections to ensure the safety of adventure sports enthusiasts in Kullu.
The Tourism Department has acknowledged the lack of adequate infrastructure for thorough vigilance and has initiated steps to appoint marshals at approved paragliding sites to enhance safety measures. 
As investigations continue into the recent accidents, the need for comprehensive safety protocols and enforcement becomes increasingly evident to prevent such tragedies in the future.