Paragliding tourney will boost tourism in Bilaspur: Shandil

The paragliding championship will boost tourism in Bilaspur district and also the economy of local people, said Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil after inaugurating the event at Bandla Dhar Hills yesterday.

Shandil said that the Bandla Dhar paragliding site in Bilaspur was considered one of the best locations for acrobatic flights. The championship would conclude on March 27. Over 70 paragliders, including six from abroad, are participating in the championship.

This is the first time an international paragliding championship of this scale is being held in Bilaspur. Earlier, Bir-Billing in Kangra district was recognised as a paragliding hub in the state but now Bandla Dhar is emerging as a world-class paragliding site. The flyers will take off from Bandla Dhar hills and land at Luhanu Ground on the banks of the Govind Sagar lake. He said such competitions would help Bilaspur become a new sports and tourism destination. He added that the state government was aiming at developing Bilaspur as a major tourist destination and had initiated steps to encourage water sports activities in the Govind Sagar Lake and the Kol Dam.