The Kangra administration has announced a complete ban on paragliding activities in Bir-Billing from July 15 to September 15, citing safety concerns during the monsoon season in the Kangra Valley. Hundreds of tourists reach Bir-Billing daily to enjoy adventure sports.
The two-month suspension, a regular annual practice, is aimed at preventing mishaps caused by unpredictable and adverse weather conditions in the region.
Bir-Billing, globally renowned for paragliding, witnesses nearly 300 solo and tandem flights daily. With the monsoon known to bring turbulent winds and poor visibility, officials said the decision was taken in the interest of both tourists and local pilots.
The ban will apply to all paragliding operations, including tandem and solo flights. The authorities have instructed paragliding associations and individuals to withdraw their pilots from the area by July 15.
A spokesperson of the Bir-Billing Paragliding Association said the ban would impact over 5,000 people linked to tourism and adventure sports in the region. “More than 250 local and foreign pilots will pause their operations. Nearly 100 taxis in Bir-Billing and many hotels and eateries will also shut during this period,” the spokesperson added.
Located away from the noise of city life and mainstream tourist spots, Bir-Billing has earned a reputation as a hub for eco-tourism, meditation, and spiritual learning. Located at an altitude of 8,000 feet, Billing, the paragliding take-off site, lies in scenic meadows about 14 km north of Bir, which serves as the landing site at 4,500 feet above sea level.
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