Khotang, January 9

Diprung Rural Municipality successfully tested paragliding flights in the rural municipality with a view to boost local tourism in Khotang.

Four paragliders took off from Bhirchungmadanda of Batase in Diprung-4 today, in the presence of representatives from the tourism ministry and the minister of finance. After flying for half an hour, the paragliders landed in Bhandareghat on the banks of the Sunkoshi River.

“As paragliding is an adventure sport that appeals to many, we hope to draw domestic and foreign tourists,” said Diprung Rural Municipality chairperson Bhupendra Rai, sharing his office’s plan to start paragliding, and rafting on the Sunkoshi River soon. “Once tourists arrive for paragliding and rafting, we could take them to the Dhiplung Waterfall, which would be a great fillip to the tourism industry in the rural municipality,” added Rai.

Speaking on the occasion, ATC Officer Mukesh Dangol of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation congratulated the village folks for the successful Paragliding test. “As the test flight has shown that paragliding is feasible here, the rural municipality could capitalise on this,” he said.

Open Sky Paragliding Pilot Nuren Lama said paragliding could prosper in Batase if necessary infrastructure at the takeoff and landing sites were in place along with hotels. He spoke of the need to upgrade roads and develop other infrastructure.