Phulchoki Adventures conduct paragliding from January to Panauti

KATHMANDU, Nov 18: Paragliding will be conducted in the Kushadevi area of Panauti Nagar from January. The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has given permission to the local Phulchoki Adventure Pvt.
 

The civil aviation authority of Nepal (CAAN) is working on the technical process for paragliding at that location. Chabilal Humagai, president of the company, said that preparations will be made for commercial flights after the release of operational instructions from the authority.

"We have received permission to operate paragliding professionally from the ministry last July, CAAN is working on the technical process, after this we will operate professionally as soon as the operating instructions are issued", he said.
   
Kushadevi area is the area where a test flight of paragliding was conducted from Gurdum hill during Vihawar area tourism festival three years ago. At that time, a test flight was conducted for three days. After that two other times were also tested for commercial flight.

It is said that permission has been given because the location of the flight, landing, air pressure, and other conditions are favorable. According to Humagai, permission has been received to operate 10 flights daily from 10 am to 4 pm. It is said that the 'visibility' will remain up to 6,500 feet at the specified time, but initially five and then 10 paragliding will be conducted.
   
Similarly, paragliding takes off from Gurdum Danda and lands at Bancharetar in Kushadevi. The distance from Gurdum Danda to Bancharetar road is four kilometers. The distance of paragliding is about 1,500 meters. The take-off point is 2,350 meters above sea level, while the landing point is 1,300 meters above sea level.
   
Panauti Nagar has also prioritized adventure sports-tourism in the financial year 079/080. This year, it has been mentioned in its policy and program to develop, expand and promote hiking trails. Similarly, for the promotion of adventure sports activities, paragliding, rock climbing, cycling etc. are planned to be conducted.

Earlier last year, the city had started adventure cycling in Phulchoki and Nadiganda tourist areas to promote tourism.

A six-kilometer cycling trail route has been fixed from Phulchoki Dada, the highest tourist spot in Ward No. 1 of the Adventure City to Nagidanda in Ward No. 2. Around 200 riders from Nepal, Canada and India cycled on the 'Phulchoki Tower Mountain Bike Trail' organized by the city.

According to the board, Panauti-Namo Buddha Hike, Balthali Eco-Trail, Sanga-Panauti Hike, Gurdum-Mahabharata Walk, Mountain Bike (around Phulchoki), Bird Watching, Yoga Retreat, Community and Private Homestay, Tamang Cultural Walk Route and Jatra-Fair to observe. will end