To boost paragliding in hills, U’khand govt trains over 700 youths

Dehradun: The Uttarakhand govt is helping local youth explore employment opportunities in paragliding as tourists flock to Bhimtal in Nainital and Maldevta in Dehradun for the sport. The state tourism department is conducting 15 training batches in Tehri, offering five courses ranging from basic to guided paragliding. In the first phase, 741 youths are being trained, including 124 women. Participants also receive free training, accommodation, and food.Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, "The earning and employment opportunities are limited in the hills, and with paragliding fast gaining popularity, we can explore the sector. The youth are interested in adventure sports activities. Therefore, we are encouraging and training youth in this sector so that adventure tourism not only flourishes but is also safe in Uttarakhand."Over the past two decades, Uttarakhand has become a hub for adventure sports. Activities such as rafting, trekking, mountaineering, bungee jumping, flying fox, mountain biking, rappelling, camping, and rock climbing are drawing large numbers of tourists. As a result, Maldevta, Bhimtal, and Rishikesh have become popular destinations, not just during summer and winter vacations but also for weekend getaways.