Kangra, (UNI) The eight-day-long Paragliding World Cup was inaugurated on Saturday at Bir-Billing, a world-famous take-off site in this district of Himachal Pradesh, by chairman of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation and vice chairman (Cabinet rank) of Tourism Development Board, R S Bali.
He said that 94 pilots from 26 countries are participating in this competition.
He further said that seven women participants, along with 32 Indian participants, are also taking part in this competition.
Bali said that special arrangements have been made for the safety of the participants in this competition following reported deaths of two paragliders in the state during the last one week.
He said that two helicopters, seven health teams including ambulances, six each rescue and retrieval teams have been deployed.
In addition, the government has arranged the carnival to entertain the participants in the paragliding competition and to acquaint the foreign guests with the rich Indian and Devbhoomi Himachal culture.
The carnival will be organized from November 6 to 8 at the landing site Bir. Cultural programmes will be organized every evening.
Bali further said that there are immense possibilities of adventure sports activities in the state and the state government is encouraging the organizers by supporting them in every possible way.
He also said that the government was making special efforts for the development of such places and creation of facilities.
The Tourism department has released Rs 60 lakh for Bir landing site and another Rs seven lakh for other facilities, he added.
