Himachal Adventure Sports Resume: Tourists visiting Himachal Pradesh have reason to cheer as paragliding and river rafting activities are set to restart on September 16. Adventure sports across the state were suspended for two months due to the monsoon season. With the restrictions lifting, rafting will resume on the Beas river in Kullu-Manali, while tandem and solo flights will return to the skies over Billing.
The Special Area Development Authority (SADA) and the tourism department have prepared the Billing take-off site for commercial and solo operations. Supervisory official Ranvijay confirmed that minor issues at the site are being addressed to ensure a smooth restart on September 16. Strict safety measures are in place, including four safety marshals deployed at the site to verify pilot registrations and documents before allowing take-off.
Currently, around 350 authorized pilots are registered for tandem flying at Bir Billing. In tandem flights, a tourist flies with a trained pilot who handles the navigation. Experienced domestic and international pilots also visit the site for solo flights, managing full control of their gliders independently.
Situated at an altitude of approximately 2,290 meters, Billing functions as the take-off point while Bir serves as the landing area. Known as the ‘Paragliding Capital of India,’ the site has hosted two Paragliding World Cups and over 10 Pre-World Cups, offering flying routes extending up to 200 kilometers. Beyond adventure sports, the Bir region attracts visitors for its Dhauladhar views, Tibetan culture, and Buddhist monasteries.
Local hotel, homestay, and business owners expect a commercial boost with the season’s start. Baijnath SDM Sankalp Gautam stated that the administration will strictly enforce safety regulations and continuously review the operations.
Simultaneously, the technical committee has cleared the resumption of river rafting in the Beas river from September 16. The seasonal ban, which took effect on July 15, comes to an end as the broader tourism season gains momentum.
The return of rafting activities is expected to restore employment for nearly 5,000 youths tied to the sector. Strict protocols will remain active on the river, prohibiting any rafting without mandatory safety gear and life jackets.
