Vacant Aero Sports Officer Post in Himachal Puts Paragliding Safety at Risk

Manali, Jan २३

In Himachal Pradesh, the post of Aero Sports Officer has remained unfilled for 41 years, despite the state hosting 25 registered paragliding sites and around 1500 licensed pilots. This vacancy has led to a lack of proper oversight, contributing to 15 paragliding accidents since 2018, which have resulted in the deaths of both tourists and pilots.

Although the state has established Aero Sports regulations, they are often not enforced, and safety measures are largely ignored. For instance, pilots are required to undergo an advanced course at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Mountaineering Institute in Manali, but only 432 out of 1500 registered pilots have completed it, with 1068 pilots remaining untrained.

In addition, a paragliding school in Beed, Kangra, designed to be Asia’s first government-run institution, has been left idle, despite the completion of its infrastructure in 2020. The project, which was initiated by former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh in 2015, has yet to become operational.

To ensure safety, the government has mandated certain rules for paragliding, including the requirement for pilots to possess a valid license, wear helmets, and carry a first aid kit during flights. Flights are also prohibited after sunset, and certain medical conditions like pregnancy, asthma, and heart issues prevent individuals from participating. However, without proper enforcement of these regulations and the vacant officer position, the safety of tourists and pilots remains a serious concern.