Himachal Pradesh: No paragliding cup, less international flyers this year

DHARAMSHALA: Like every year, Bir–Billing, the paragliding capital of Himachal Pradesh is not hosting any paragliding championships for 2019. This has brought down the number of international flyers to this place. Only 140 flyers have reached so far, in comparison to 250 last year. People from various parts of the world come to this place because of their love for flying.
The international championships have brought Bir area in a global spotlight for paragliding.But government is not going to host any such event this year.
Sudhir Sharma, the president of Billing Paragliding Association (BPA) and former minister who has initiated the paragliding events in this region have said that government should not stop these championships.
“If there will be no sports event for paragliding, the local economy will be hit. This place has come on the global map due to the international championships. Government should organize the event this year also," he said.
Well placed sources said that last year the number of the flyers reaching this place was above 250 while only 140 people have arrived this year.
The administration was busy in hosting the Global Investor Meet. Top officials refused to comment on this issue. Native people of Bir and Billing area have mixed views on the championships. Few want that an international event is a necessity to promote the place. Others are happy as joy rides are taking place in the area.
When contacted, Ranvijay Kumar, an official who registers the number of flyers, said that foreign nationals have arrived in the region to have a tryst with paragliding.
“There are flyers from France, Romania, UK, Russia and many other places. Majority of them are from Russia," he said.
Himachal Pradesh is known globally for paragliding due to Bir–Billing area only. The place was discovered in 1980’s. There were plans to bring up a national paragliding institute in this area. However, so far there is no policy in the state to run the paragliding school by the individuals of the region, despite being a huge demand among the tourists for the same.