International paragliding festival kicks off in Kerala

The international paragliding festival has begun in Kerala on Thursday. Vagamon and Varkala are the venues for this year. More than 100 national and international gliders are expected to participate in the festival. The festival has been pitched as the largest Aero Sports adventure festival organized in India.

During the online inauguration of the festival, Kerala Tourism Minister P A Mohammed Riyas said that adventure tourism will be the next major branch of tourism.  He noted that studies suggest Munnar is also a suitable location for paragliding. 

The fest is being conducted by the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS) under the Department of Tourism and Idukki District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) with technical support from the Paragliding Association of India. 

International gliders from America, Nepal, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, and Britain will take part in the festival. Similarly, gliders from Delhi, Goa, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu will be part of it. 

MLA Vazhoor Soman presided over the inaugural ceremony of the festival. District collector Sheeba George, sub-collector Dr. Arun S Nayar, Elappara panchayat president Ammini Thomas, and the department staff attended the inaugural.

The festival concludes on March 17.