ANJALI YADAV/ DEHRADUN
Paragliding activities in and around Dehradun are facing questions over licensing and safety standards. Things have become all the more uncertain after the district Tourism department said that no operator currently holds a licence to conduct paragliding activities in the district. This statement notwithstanding, paragliding has been offered at locations, including Thano, Maldevta and Mussoorie, raising concerns over whether operators have the required permissions and whether the prescribed safety measures are being followed.
A paragliding operator, Anand Kumar said that operations are currently suspended due to the monsoon and are expected to resume from September 1. “Those interested can complete their registration in advance for the upcoming season,” he added. Another operator, Sheetal Panwar said that the paragliding enthusiasts could visit their office before booking to select a suitable date and time. “They are, however, expected to complete the booking and payment process in advance,” she added.
However, the Tourism department declared categorically that these operators do not have the required licence to conduct the activity.
Queried over it, the district Tourism Development officer (DTDO), Jaspal Chauhan said: “At present, no one in Dehradun has a licence to operate paragliding activities. If anyone is conducting such operations, they are doing so illegally.” He further said warningly that the department would coordinate with the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) and take action against operators conducting paragliding sans the required licence.
Observers have expressed deep concerns over the safety of the tourists who book adventure activities without knowing whether the operators they book are authorised or whether the equipment, pilots and emergency arrangements they claim to make meet the prescribed standards.
“With paragliding expected to resume after monsoon, the department officials will face the challenge of ensuring that only licensed operators are allowed to operate and that safety norms are strictly enforced,” said an adventure sports expert based in Dehradun.
