Experience the beauty with an aerial view; J&K adds boost to tourism with paragliding adventure
Jammu, May 16: The state of Jammu and Kashmir with its scenic beauty has attracted many tourists. With natural beauty and trekking, the state has garnered tourist attention mostly for adventure. Giving a major boost to adventure tourism in Jammu region, Directorate of Tourism Jammu has successfully conducted the trials for paragliding from Aitham village on Bajalta - Surinsar road.
The trial for paragliding was conducted under the supervision of the Adventure wing of the Directorate. The authorities first carried out the initial survey and supervised the trial. Later, the maiden paragliding flight was undertaken by Sunil Kumar, Tandem Paraglider Pilot, along with Sunil Kumar Rana, a member of Paragliding Association of India. The take off point at Aitham is 19 kms from Jammu city whereas the landing zone is just fifteen kms from Jammu and affords soft landing on the sprawling sand bed of Sardhan stream.
As per the experts, the duration of glide was four minutes in ideal conditions and the take off point is easily accessible by road and involves a short trek of only 250 metres to the hillock through a forest path. Once the requisite NOCs and permissions are received, regular paragliding activities shall be commenced through registered Adventure Tour Operators.
With the approval for construction of artificial climbing wall at Surinsar park and paragliding activities, the adventure activities in Surinsar area falling under Surinsar Mansar Development Authority will receive a major boost. The trial was conducted under directions of O P Bhagat, Director Tourism Jammu and under the guidance of Ansuya Jamwal, Deputy Director Tourism (Publicity and Adventure).