By Amar Raj Naharki
Bandipur, Feb. 5: Domestic tourism is on the rise at Bandipur, Tanahun as hordes of people flock the Rural Municipality to partake in paragliding adventures. “With the quaint hilltop settlement being established as a new hub for adventure tourism, we have witnessed a surge in the number of visitors,” said Kisan Pradhan, Chairperson of Bandipur Tourism Development Committee.
According to the tourism committee, at least 50 individuals enjoy paragliding on a daily basis. Daring travellers usually take a drive up or hike up to the Thanimai Danda — the take off point, from where the paragliders jump off the precipice, circle the skies before landing at Bhumserma of Bandipur Ward No. 2. Including the Blue Skies, a renowned paragliding service provider from Pokhara, a total of four companies are commercially commanding the paragliding scene in Bandipur. “These companies were registered as legit service providers three years ago, and have been operating paragliding adventures here ever since,” informed former Chairperson of the Tourism Development Committee, Bais Gurung.
In previous years, Bandipur paragliding lured tourists from all over the world, especially from the USA, France, China, and Italy. However, since the pandemic, foreign tourism has significantly declined. Nonetheless, over the last few months, the Bandipur sky is yet again dotted with colourful gliders thanks to an increasing number of domestic tourists.
One such paragliding enthusiast is Temba Sherpa, who doesn’t mind taking the long journey from Solukhumbu, his homeland, to Bandipur. Sherpa enjoys the thrill of sailing across the sky and can’t get enough of it. “It’s actually my fourth time here paragliding,” said Sherpa. For Sherpa, Bandipur’s suitability for paragliding is second to none. “It has adequate elevation, natural rising thermals and breathtaking sceneries, all of which make this (Bandipur) a paragliding heaven,” he said.
In order to encourage more visitors, the local authority is gearing up to upgrade the road leading up to Thanimai Danda, as per Purna Singh Thapa, Chairperson of the Rural Municipality. “Along with this, construction of the mini great wall is also in progress while bicycle lanes were just recently inaugurated,” he added.