Kerala Aims to Make Vagamon India’s Best Paragliding Centre: Minister

IDUKKI:
Tourism and Public Works Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas flew a parachute at the International Paragliding Festival in Kolahalamedu Adventure Park here today, and said the government was aiming to make Vagamon in the district the best paragliding centre in the country.

On the penultimate day of the March 19-23 event organized by the State Tourism Department and the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS), the minister parachuted with paragliding pilot Mithun, a native of Vagamon, after flying at an altitude of 3,500 feet.

“It was an unforgettable experience,” Riyas said after gliding for about ten minutes and landing smoothly, adding “I would come here again- with my family.”

The Minister noted that the number of people visiting Kerala solely for adventure tourism has been increasing. “Considering their demand, we plan to improve the facilities at the adventure tourism centres in the state. The goal is to make Kerala a hub for adventure tourism,” he added.

The state had a unique combination of adventure-tourism attractions, the Minister noted, citing Wayanad for mountain cycling, Varkala and Beypore for surfing, Vagamon for paragliding, and the Western Ghats for trekking.

Vazhoor Soman, MLA, who presided over the felicitation function, said the success of tourism in Vagamon stemmed from its local people, who “treat tourists like one’s own family”.

Kerala Tourism Director Sikha Surendran said the Department has been able to bring several adventure activities that were previously seen outside of the country. The International Paragliding Festival at Vagamon has earned Kerala a prominent place on the world adventure map, she added.

Others at the function included District Panchayat President Rarichan Neeranakunnel, Tourism Department Joint Director Rajeev G.L., Deputy Director K.S. Shine and KATPS CEO Binu Kuriakose, besides heads and members of civic bodies as well as leaders of various political parties.

The event features contests in six categories, with 49 participants from eleven foreign countries. Of them, 15 are from abroad.

The event at the Adventure Park in Kolahalamedu is organized with the approval and technical cooperation of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, which is the 1905-founded world governing body for air sports, besides the Aeroclub of India. Fly Vagamon is the local organiser.

The competitions are held in Paragliding Accuracy (Overall), Paragliding Accuracy (Women), Paragliding Accuracy (Team), Paragliding Accuracy (Indian Overall), Paragliding Accuracy (Indian Women) and Paragliding Accuracy (Junior). The first, second, and third place winners in all categories will receive prizes of Rs 1.5 lakh, Rs 1 lakh, and Rs 50,000 respectively.

Kolahalamedu, located four km from Vagamon near Peerumedu, is among the best places for paragliding. Situated at an altitude of 3,000 feet, the place is particularly favourable for take-off and landing. Adding to the benefits are the cool climate, tea gardens, grasslands and the woods.