Army cites security concerns, shuts Kangra's Narwana paragliding site

Paragliding at the Narwana site in Kangra district has been suspended with immediate effect after the Army refused to renew its no-objection certificate (NoC) for continuing operations.

District Tourism Development Officer (DTDO) Vinay Dhiman said the site had been functional for the past three years under a provisional NoC granted by the Army. The tourism department had been expecting a formal extension this year, but the Army has now declined the request, citing security concerns.

“The Army has conveyed that Narwana has been designated a ‘red zone’ and hence paragliding activities cannot be allowed there,” Dhiman stated. The area’s new classification reportedly follows heightened security sensitivity after “Operation Sindoor,” a recent military action against Pakistan that remains in a suspension phase.

Despite regular communication between the district administration, tourism officials, and Army authorities, a formal letter from the Army has now confirmed the denial of clearance, effectively grounding all paragliding activity at Narwana.

Kangra district had earlier identified four paragliding sites, Indrunag, Narwana, Bill Pattiyan and Bir-Billing. With the latest decision, only three remain open to adventure sports.

The suspension has also clouded prospects for upcoming international paragliding events, as Narwana had previously hosted two successful editions of the Paragliding Accuracy World Cup, drawing global participants and bolstering Kangra’s adventure tourism appeal.