Kerala
has become the hub for travellers who seek taste of life through different
activities. Undoubtedly, Kerala has earned its name as the God’s own country
for its majestic beauty that mesmerizes everyone who even once comes in touch
of it. Taking a step further to slake the thirst of adventure seekers,
paragliding at Vagamon in the Idukki District of the state has set forth.Adventure sports enthusiasts are concerned with the behavior of some reckless adventure seekers which they think are indeed publicity mongers. An awful incident took place in Kannur city of the state when an 11 months old baby was sent on a paragliding mission by the parents. Such incidents have always troubled the concerned authorities. Binu Perumana, Member of National Adventure Foundation, New Delhi, suggested that the government should enforce strict rules so that the publicity mongers and unscrupulous people find appropriate place and not in the adventure sector. He added that professionals should be appointed in the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society. Help of experts should be taken while drawing the policy and future plans. The official and the concerned authorities are hopeful for the emerging paragliding adventure. The President of Fly Vagamon, Vinil Thomas, expressed his well wishes by saying that Vagamon is becoming a hub for paragliding in the state as well as the country. He is happy that it won Central Government’s award for innovative tourism product in 2008. He added that people want to try new adventure and the government must help them retain their interest. Apart from the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society, District Tourism Promotion Council and Forest Department would play pivotal role in helping the sector touch high heavens. Recently the firm has successfully organised 450 ‘tandem jumps’ from a height of 4,000 feet for tourists keen in experiencing paragliding. The authorities have predicted that the coming month would be very favourable for experiencing paragliding. Supporting to the prediction of the authorities, Sunil Hassan, Chief Flying Instructor of Adventure Inc. said the seven months post the south –west monsoon is ideal for aero sports as wind speed and quality are predictable and provides an added advantage of safety to the adventurers.
Ref: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/care-for-adventure-ask-enthusiasts/article6122405.ece?homepage=true
