Jammu, September 21, 2025 – In a significant boost to adventure tourism and youth empowerment, Director Tourism Jammu, Dr. Vikas Gupta, flagged off a group of 19 paragliding pilots from Jammu to Himachal Pradesh for an advanced SIV/P4 Paragliding Course. The initiative, sponsored by the Directorate of Tourism Jammu under the guidance of Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Ashish Chandra Verma, aims to elevate the skills of local enthusiasts and position Jammu as a premier destination for extreme sports.The advanced paragliding training, scheduled from September 20 to October 27, 2025, will unfold in three phases at renowned sites including Bilaspur’s Govind Sagar Lake and the world-famous Bir-Billing valley in Himachal Pradesh. Participants, who have already completed foundational P1, P2, and P3 courses at the National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (NIMAS), will undergo rigorous SIV (Simulation d’Incidents en Vol) and P4 sessions at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali. Upon completion, they will be certified for solo flying and tandem flights, unlocking new avenues for professional growth and self-employment.
Empowering Jammu’s Youth for Adventure Excellence
Dr. Vikas Gupta extended his best wishes to the departing pilots, emphasizing the program’s role in fostering adventure tourism. “This initiative is a vital step towards promoting adventure sports in Jammu & Kashmir, creating opportunities for self-employment and professional development among our youth,” he stated during the flag-off ceremony at the Directorate of Tourism office.Joint Director Tourism Jammu, Aijaz Qaiser, highlighted the broader impact: the training will empower participants while bolstering Jammu’s reputation as an adventure hub. He pointed to the upcoming paragliding site at Aithem in Jammu, which will soon enable local youth to conduct solo and tandem flights, attracting thrill-seekers and boosting the regional economy.The event saw the presence of key officials, including Savita Chouhan (Deputy Director Tourism Jammu), Vishal Sadhotra (Assistant Director Tourism Jammu), and Arif Lone (Assistant Director Tourism, NNW), alongside the full staff of the Directorate of Tourism Jammu.
A Leap Towards Sustainable Adventure Tourism
This sponsored collaboration with the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute underscores Jammu’s commitment to high-standard training in paragliding, a sport gaining traction amid Himachal’s established infrastructure like Bir-Billing, Asia’s premier paragliding hotspot. By equipping these 19 pilots with advanced skills, the program not only enhances safety and expertise but also paves the way for tandem tourism experiences that could draw global adventurers to Jammu’s scenic terrains.As the pilots embark on this exhilarating journey, Jammu’s skies are set to soar higher, blending adrenaline with economic vitality.
