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A paraglider pilot is taking part in a parachute refresher course at Aithem View point on the Jammu-Surinsar road by the Tourism Directorate. Jammu Tourism Department is all set to give a new identity to the sky of the region with the introduction of commercial lottery here early next year.
The project is also a story of personal courage and empowerment led by Dolly Sharma, the only female pilot among 20 cadets preparing to fly professionally.
Aitham is a slope location near Jammu which has been tested and developed by the Tourism department to boost adventure tourism. The launch point is about 19 km from Jammu City and the landing zone is the sand bed of Sardhan stream. The test flight is about four minutes.
“This is the only site recommended for the draw and we want to make it operational within five to six months by the end of the current fiscal year,” Joint Director, Jammu Tourism, Aijaz Qaiser told PTI on the last day of a six-day refresher course for the 20-day pilot here.
The updated course is part of advanced training for pilots who have completed P1, P2 and P1, P2 and P3 courses from National Mountaineering and Allied sports. p4 training courses will be held at Bilaspur (Govind Sagar Lake) and Bir-Billing (Himachal Pradesh), Asia’s best-in-class and one-to-one drop-in courses for related activities.
“These 20 pilots from Himachal Pradesh alone have completed their SIV courses and will soon be separated in two batches for one-on-one deployment for P4.
“We have partnered with the Ab Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports.
As the pilots complete their pre-training, the department plans to fly them on a regular basis so that they complete their mandatory flying hours solo and tandem flights with passengers.
“It is an area of 190 sq km with ideal flight slopes, consistent wind conditions and panoramic views. We are taking over this land to increase the necessary infrastructure, including upper track, multi-cuisine restaurants, sunset point and yoga platform,” he said.
The official said the initiative is part of a wider push to develop adventure tourism in the region and a year-round destination for visitors looking for more than pilgrimage and heritage trails.
The only woman among the cadets who has followed adventure sports for the past five years, she said that this opportunity is both a professional growth and a step forward for women in the region.
“The experience was great. It’s not weak to be a woman – there’s nothing a woman can’t do,” she said confidently before making a perfect landing.
For Sharma, the project represents something deeper than tourism or work.
“It’s about trust. Adventure tourism will attract visitors, yes, but it will also give local youth, especially women, a chance to learn new skills and see things in a new light.”
Kaiser said his department’s mandate is to promote adventure tourism and create opportunities that also benefit local youth.
The department is coming up with new adventure destinations including river rafting, water sports and splashing in different parts of Jammu, on the special destinations of Director Tourism Vikas Gupta and Chief Secretary Atal Ataloo.
Adventure tourism attracts young travelers and weekend visitors, said another skydiver.
By developing safe, certified adventure sites, it aims to capture the emerging market of Jammu while creating local employment.
Pilot Atul Kumar feels that the topography of the region has great potential.
“I have been a part of skiing for the last few years and have seen different places in and out of J&K. The take-off and landing points here are perfect and the weather is stable.
Adventure sports enthusiast Pervaiz Singh Rajput echoed the sentiment, describing the site as “one of the best natural settings” for downhill skiing.
“Views are spectacular, wind conditions are consistent and easily accessible from Jammu city.
Trainer J Singh lauded the efforts of the tourism department and said skydiving will definitely boost tourism and generate employment for local residents.
