Para-gliding to boost tourism in Himachal:

[India News] Shimla, Sep 14 : Himachal Pradesh will organise a major
para-gliding tournament in November as part of efforts to make the
state a major centre for aero-sports in South Asia to boost adventure
tourism.

The hill state is already a major centre for travellers keen on
sports like skiing, mountain trekking and river rafting, but aero-
sports like para-gliding are still in their infancy despite Himachal
Pradesh having some of the finest venues for the sport.

"Some of the finest para-gliders from around the globe have
registered for the competition to be held Nov 6-9," Upma Chaudhary,
director of the state tourism department, told IANS.

"Over 70 participants have decided to take part and they will come
from the US, Germany, Australia, Spain, New Zealand, Bulgaria, Russia
and Indonesia. There will also be a few competitors from India," said
Manoj Sharma, deputy director of the tourism department.

"Holding the event will have a positive impact on tourism activities
in the region and help the state become an adventure tourism
destination," Chaudhary said.

Officials said the event, to be held at Billing in the Kangra Valley,
some 240 km from here, is being conducted under the aegis of the Para
Gliding World Cup Association. The meet has been granted category II
status by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), the
sport's governing body.

The event is being organised by the Himachal Pradesh tourism
department along with the Para Gliding World Cup Association, France,
Aero Club of India and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute at
Manali.

Besides attracting travellers from India and overseas in search of
adventure sports, the event is expected to draw other tourists to
witness the para-gliders in action during November, which is the off
season for tourists in picturesque Kangra Valley.

Discovered almost two decades ago by para-gliders, the Billing and
Bir venues in Kangra Valley are described by experts as among the
world's best para-gliding sites as they some of the best thermal
effects for gliders.

The successful holding of this event could qualify India to take part
in the prestigious world cup later, officials said.

--Indo-Asian News Service