A first: Pithoragarh to hold paragliding event from April 17

PITHORAGARH: Elaborating adventure tourism plans for 2015, the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) management today announced that an international paragliding event, the first event of its kind in Kumaon region, will be organised in Pithoragarh district of Kumaon region from April 17 to April 19 this year, in which nearly 50 paragliders of international fame will fly in through their gliders in the sky.

Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, January 25

Elaborating adventure tourism plans for 2015, the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) management today announced that an international paragliding event, the first event of its kind in Kumaon region, will be organised in Pithoragarh district of Kumaon region from April 17 to April 19 this year, in which nearly 50 paragliders of international fame will fly in through their gliders in the sky. This was announced by the Nigam Managing Director here.

“We have selected ridges of Sorlek, Kanari and Pabhen by the valley of Soor as take-off points for the event, from which, the paragliders will fly towards the Naini Saini airstrip. We have convened a meeting of officers in this connection and requested them to cooperate in making the event a success,” said Dhiraj Garbiyal, MD of KMVN.

The KMVN MD said the Nigam is out to increase its share in organising adventure sports in the region, for which, it has started identifying new trekking routes on which trekkers from across the country would be invited to trek during the season. “We have decided to repair trek routes of Panchuli, Namik, Milam and Rlam situated in the district and equip them with solar lights to draw more trekkers here from the next season,” said the Nigam MD.

The Nigam MD said Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims taking the Kumaon routes from this year will be given more facilities. For this, the state government has sanctioned a sum of Rs 25 crore. The amount is being spent on bettering the facilities at the camps from Tawaghat onwards, it has been stated. “We have decided to make the pilgrims travel by vehicles on the 20-km route from Gunji to Kalapani on vehicles as this portion of motor roads has been completed by the BRO. We have decided to shift the small vehicles in these camps by helicopters in the coming days,” said the Nigam MD.

Meanwhile, KMVN today inaugurated a five-day skiing training camp at Betulidhar in Munsiyari Himalayas. The camp was inaugurated by Regional Manager of Tourism DK Sharma at Betulidhar. Over 50 local youth are getting trained in this six-day camp.

“We have included in the syllabus of this five-day camp, the slogans of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, save Himalayas and disaster management information,” said DK Sharma, Regional Manager of KMVN tourism.

Promoting tourism

An international paragliding event, the first of its kind in the Kumaon region, will be organised in Pithoragarh district from April 17 to 19. Nearly 50 paragliders of international fame will fly in through their gliders in the sky.