In a recent update, two paragliding flight tests were conducted at Morni Hills in Panchkula district to explore the potential of introducing the adventure sport in the region.
The tests were performed by professional gliders from the Border Security Force (BSF) team from Dehradun’s BSF Adventure School. The trials were undertaken under the tutelage of the Shivalik Development Board, which is responsible for the development of the whole lower Himalayan region.
The BSF team led by Inspector Ajay Singh Adhana conducted a feasibility study of the region for about four days before embarking on the first paragliding test flights from the region. The BSF personnel commenced their test flights from the hilly village of Bhori at Morni which is situated at an altitude of 4,000 ft from the sea level and descended at the Palasara village which is situated in the plane area topography of the state.
During the trial run, BSF personnel identified four more launching pads for the adventure sport. That being said, the speed of wind and direction also plays an important role. The decision to introduce more launching pads will be taken later.
Morni Hills is the only hilly region in the state with some kind of high altitude. Now people from Haryana can go paragliding in their state instead of going all the way to neighbouring regions like Manali and Rishikesh. At present, Manali and Rishikesh are some of the best famous sites for paragliding activities due to their climate and topographical conditions and development of a solid tourism infrastructure in the region. The Morni hills share their boundary with the Sirmour district of Himachal Pradesh and lie in close vicinity to the Panchkula, Yamunanagar and Ambala districts of the state.
District officials also hope that introducing small adventure activities in its hilly region, like paragliding, will attract more tourists and create job opportunities for locals.
