PNS | DEHRADUN
Himalayan Aerosports Association (HAA) member Vikram Singh Negi said that the Tourism minister and the Tourism department should take measures against unauthorised commercial paragliding activities being conducted across the State. He said this while addressing the media here on Saturday.
Negi said that in 2018, authorities established guidelines aimed at enhancing employment opportunities, which must be adhered to by those involved in commercial paragliding. He claimed that the Tourism department has currently granted a permit to a private company for paragliding operations in the Thano area near Doiwala. This permit stipulates that the company is allowed to operate only one piece of equipment with a single pilot conducting the paragliding activities.
He stated that according to certain sources, the company in question is reportedly conducting paragliding operations illegally while also having three to four paragliders which are also unlawful. Additionally, it has been noted that the company has been directing funds from their paragliding operations into personal accounts. He pointed out that, under the Uttarakhand Aerosports Rules, pilots associated with the company are required to hold a license issued by the Uttarakhand Tourism department.
However, many pilots working for various companies are allegedly engaged in commercial paragliding without the necessary licenses, which is illegal and poses a risk to the safety and property of tourists. In various other locations throughout Uttarakhand, several companies are reportedly running commercial paragliding activities without the appropriate authorisation from the Tourism department, Negi alleged, adding that the Uttarakhand Aerosports Rules are being seriously violated as a result. Citing this, he urged the Tourism minister Satpal Maharaj and the Tourism department to put an end to these illegal commercial paragliding activities in the State. He also called for thorough investigation and appropriate legal action against those responsible for ensuring the safety of the tourists paragliding in Uttarakhand.
