KATHMANDU, May 22: About two and a half years ago, the paragliding take-off and landing zones in Pokhara were relocated from Sarangkot to Mandredhunga, around five kilometers to the west.
This move was made after the operation of the Pokhara Regional International Airport, as continuing flights from Sarangkot posed increased risks to air traffic. Consequently, the take-off site was shifted from Sarangkot to Mandredhunga, and the landing site was also moved from Khapaudi to the opposite side of the Pame River.
The vibrant paragliding flights that once filled the skies of Sarangkot daily, resembling flocks of colorful birds, faded into obscurity after it was relocated to Mandredhunga. Even the landing site was moved to the upper area of Phewa Lake. Previously, tourists enjoying boat rides on Phewa Lake would be captivated by the sight of paragliders soaring above Sarangkot. But after the shift to Mandredhunga, the skies over Sarangkot became empty and desolate.
After the paragliding take-off point was moved from Sarangkot to Mandredhunga, the once-thriving paragliding activity that attracted hundreds of tourists daily suffered a significant decline. This shift not only disappointed the tourism sector but also undermined many paragliding businesses. With fewer tourists willing to fly from Mandredhunga, many pilots were left jobless. As a result, some paragliding companies even shut down. Moreover, solo flights have remained completely suspended to this day.
Meanwhile, hoping to attract more customers and generate income, paragliding operators reduced their flight charges. While the lower prices did attract some additional tourists, the reduced rates made it difficult for the businesses to cover their operational costs. Operators complained about the high transportation expenses involved in taking tourists to the take-off site and bringing them back from the landing zone to Lakeside. With paragliding—once a highly attractive tourism product—falling into obscurity, especially after the blow dealt to the tourism industry by the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns within the tourism sector deepened even further.
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Based on these concerns, paragliding operators repeatedly appealed to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to allow them to return the take-off and landing sites to their original locations. After numerous requests, CAAN relocated the take-off point from Mandredhunga to Toripani last year. However, the landing zone remained at Pame.
Now, starting Thursday, the CANN has granted permission for Pokhara’s paragliding flights to operate in a slightly new form. After nearly two years, the landing area for paragliding has been changed and is closer to the original location due to repeated initiatives by the Nepal Airsports Association (NAA). While the take-off remains at Toripani, paragliders will now land at Khapaudi, the NAA has confirmed.
With permission granted by the CAAN, paragliding flights have now resumed from Toripani with landings in Khapaudi, according to Anil KC, president of the NAA. He stated, “From now on, we can take off from Toripani and land in Khapaudi. This allows tourists to enjoy flying over Pokhara and the skies above Phewa Lake.”
According to KC, the permitted flying time for paragliding has also been extended by an hour and a half. Previously, flights were only allowed from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, but now they can operate from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm.
With the landing site returned to its original location, paragliding operators are feeling somewhat optimistic. Since paragliders will once again be visible in the skies over Pokhara, they believe that business will gradually return to its former rhythm.
At an event organized to announce the change in the landing site, mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City, Dhan Raj Acharya, stated that returning the landing site to its original location would help revive Pokhara’s tourism industry and bring it back to its former pace.
“Paragliding has been one of the main attractions for tourists. It is a key tourism product of Pokhara,” he said. “I believe the business will return to its former rhythm.” He also mentioned that, in an effort to revive this sector and attract more tourists, preparations are underway to organize an international paragliding competition in the context of the upcoming Pokhara Tourism Year.
Yogendra Kunwar, the head of air traffic control at Pokhara International Airport stated that in coordination with the CAAN, permission has been granted to resume take-offs and landings from the original site at Toripani to support the sustainable development of tourism in Pokhara. Emphasizing the importance of safety, he urged operators and pilots to remain vigilant, saying, “To ensure the sustainability of this initiative, business owners and pilots must prioritize the safety of paragliding flights.”
Taranath Pahari, president of the Pokhara Tourism Council, expressed confidence that with the new landing site, businesses would return to their former rhythm. However, he also raised concerns about the continued ban on solo flights. Gopi Bahadur Bhattrai, coordinator of the Pokhara Visit Year Executive Committee, highlighted that paragliding is a key pillar of Pokhara’s tourism. He stressed the need to create an environment that allows for the uninterrupted operation of paragliding activities.
Basudev Tripathi, former member of the Nepal Tourism Board, stated that paragliding is a key product of Pokhara. He emphasized that the stunning views of the mountains, lakes, and landscapes visible during a paragliding flight make it an enjoyable experience for tourists.
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