Paragliding to resume at Billing from September 15

Our Correspondent

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PALAMPUR, September 3

Paragliding will resume at Billing after a gap of six months from September 15. Following the Covid-induced lockdown in March, the state government had imposed a complete ban on paragliding.

The state government allowed paragliding in the first week of July but the ban continued on tandem flights keeping in view the safety of tourists. Now all types of paragliding would be allowed from September 15 which would boost the tourism activities in Kangra valley

However, there is no confirmation on the holding of the International Paragliding World Cup Championship 2020 at Billing in the last week of October 2020 because of Covid 19 crisis. Though almost one-and-a-half month is left for the event, no preparation is in sight. Most of the officers of state tourism department and the district administration are not ready to confirm whether the event will be held or not.

Last year too, the International Paragliding World Cup Championship was cancelled because of Global Investors Meet at Dharamsala.

The championship is organised at Billing every year. On earlier occasions prior to the year 2014, only pre-World Championships were held.

The Bir Billing site, which ranks among 10 best paragliding sites in the world, is situated on a height ranging from 5,000 feet to 9,000 feet above sea level in the foothills of the Himalayas. The lush green Bir Billing valley has emerged as the first choice of domestic and foreign tourists for paragliding.

Billing hosts International Paragliding World Cup every year in the month of October.

Cloud over c’ship

There is no confirmation on the holding of the International Paragliding World Cup Championship 2020 at Billing in the last week of October because of the Covid-19 crisis.