Soaring Over The Himalayas: Jammu’s Aithem Set To Redefine Paragliding In India

Long celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes and surreal scenic beauty, Jammu is now charting a bold new course as a premier adventure tourism hub — with paragliding taking centre stage. In a major step toward realising this vision, the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu, in collaboration with the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS), Manali, successfully conducted a six-day Paragliding Refresher Course at Aithem Viewpoint along the Jammu–Surinsar Road, from October 8 to 13, 2025.

What Did The Six-Day Refresher Course At Aithem Entail?

The course, the first of its kind in the region, marks a milestone in Jammu’s growing efforts to integrate paragliding into its adventure tourism portfolio. Designed to elevate safety standards and professional expertise, the training program brought together expert instructors from ABVIMAS who conducted intensive sessions on paragliding safety, flight techniques, meteorological assessments, equipment maintenance, and emergency handling.

Speaking at the closing ceremony held at Aithem Viewpoint, Aijaz Qaiser, JKAS, Joint Director Tourism, Jammu, lauded the successful completion of the training and underscored its importance in shaping Jammu’s adventure landscape. “The Directorate remains committed to building skilled manpower and strengthening Jammu’s profile as a leading destination for adventure and eco-tourism," he said.

The six-day program, held under the overall guidance of Ashish Chandra Verma, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism Department, J&K, and Vikas Gupta, JKAS, Director of Tourism, Jammu, featured both theoretical and practical sessions. The aim was to enhance the professional competence of participating pilots and ensure strict adherence to global safety protocols.

Strengthening Jammu’s Adventure Tourism Vision

The initiative forms part of a broader strategy by the Tourism Department of Jammu and Kashmir to introduce paragliding at multiple sites across the Jammu region, which boasts ideal topographical and climatic conditions for the sport. Locations such as Aithem, Surinsar, and Sanasar are being actively developed as adventure tourism hubs, offering breathtaking aerial views of the region’s diverse landscape.

The valedictory function showcased live paragliding demonstrations and interactive discussions with participants, followed by the distribution of certificates. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from trained pilots, officers of the Tourism Department, and adventure professionals.

Savita Chouhan, Deputy Director of Tourism (Adventure), Jammu, and Vishal Sadhotra, Assistant Director of Tourism, Jammu, along with adventure specialists Amarpal Singh and Neema Bhat, played key roles in coordinating and facilitating the smooth execution of the training and closing event.

The successful culmination of the refresher course not only underscores the region’s growing commitment to safety and professional training but also signals the beginning of a new chapter for Jammu’s adventure tourism sector. As the Tourism Department continues to invest in skill-building, infrastructure, and community engagement, paragliding could soon become one of Jammu’s most sought-after experiences — drawing both domestic and international travellers eager to soar above the Shivalik hills and serene lakes of the region.

With initiatives like these, Jammu isn’t just taking flight—it is redefining what adventure tourism means in India.

FAQs

1. Why is Jammu emerging as a paragliding hotspot?

Jammu’s diverse terrain, steady wind conditions, and scenic viewpoints like Aithem and Surinsar make it ideal for paragliding. The government’s focus on training and safety is further enhancing its appeal.

2. What was the purpose of the six-day paragliding refresher course at Aithem?

The course aimed to enhance pilot safety, refine flight techniques, and build professional expertise, aligning Jammu’s adventure tourism with global standards.

3. Who conducted the paragliding training in Jammu?

The Directorate of Tourism, Jammu, collaborated with the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS), Manali, to lead the program with expert instructors.

4. Which locations in Jammu are being developed for paragliding?

Sites like Aithem, Surinsar, and Sanasar are being developed as paragliding and adventure tourism hubs, offering panoramic aerial views of the Shivalik hills and surrounding lakes.

5. How does this initiative impact Jammu’s tourism vision?

The training course marks a step toward establishing Jammu as a premier adventure and eco-tourism destination, fostering skilled manpower and promoting sustainable adventure sports.