Meghalaya To Launch Paragliding: Tourists Can Soon Soar Above The Clouds

Imagine gliding above rolling green hills, clouds drifting by and rivers shimmering far below. That experience is soon to be possible in Meghalaya, where the Meghalaya Paragliding Association (MPA) is preparing to introduce paragliding for tourists and locals. The initiative, which began life in 2009, faced administrative delays and funding hurdles, according to a Travel And Tour World report. The MPA, a group of local pilots and outdoor enthusiasts, has persisted and is now ready to start operations. The association says its aim is to offer visitors a safe, well-managed aerial view of the state's famed valleys, waterfalls and misty hills.

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Why Meghalaya Is An Ideal Paragliding Destination?

Meghalaya's steep hills, broad valleys and winding rivers create the kind of wind conditions paragliders look for. From the air, the state's layered greenery, scattered hill villages and plunging waterfalls form dramatic scenery that organisers believe will make Meghalaya one of India's top paragliding spots.

The MPA has identified Rapleng and Mawlyndep as promising launch sites. These locations offer the right mix of elevation, open take-off areas and steady wind flow, making them suitable for both training and recreational flights.

Launch To Be Marked By Competition In Shillong:

To mark the start of paragliding activity in the state, the MPA plans to hold a competition in Shillong later this year. The event is expected to draw pilots from across India, including participants from the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. Organisers say the competition will showcase the technical skills required to fly in Meghalaya's varied terrain and will signal the state's entry into the national paragliding circuit.

Training And Local Capacity Building:

The association is not limiting its work to joyrides. It has wider plans to build a local paragliding community by training young people from Meghalaya as pilots and instructors. Training programmes will cover glider handling, wind reading, safety procedures and emergency response.

By developing local expertise, the MPA aims to create sustainable livelihoods so that the sport is not dependent solely on outside operators. That, officials say, should generate employment opportunities in guiding, instruction and related services such as equipment maintenance and hospitality.

Safety And Operational Standards:

The MPA emphasises safety as a priority. All flights will use certified, well-maintained equipment. Pilots will be experienced and undergo regular medical checks. Trainees will be required to produce fitness certificates before lessons begin.

During flights, a ground support team will maintain radio contact with pilots. Rescue parachutes and contingency procedures will be in place. Equipment will be subject to strict checks and routine maintenance to meet national safety norms, the association says.

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Tourism And Economic Impact:

Paragliding could broaden Meghalaya's tourism offering beyond eco-tourism and waterfall trails, attracting adventure tourists who spend on accommodation, food and local transport. Stakeholders say this would benefit homestays, small hotels, transport operators and local businesses, providing a boost to rural economies.

However, setting up paragliding infrastructure is capital intensive. The MPA is seeking sponsorship and government assistance to cover costs of gear, training and safety systems and to keep prices affordable for visitors.

Interest among Meghalaya's youth is growing. Several locals have travelled outside the state for training; the new programme will allow prospective pilots to learn at home. The MPA hopes that a home-grown cadre of pilots and instructors will help sustain the sport and promote Meghalaya as an adventure destination.

The launch of paragliding in Meghalaya is as much about sport as it is about opportunity, organisers say. It promises to add a new dimension to the state's tourism portfolio while creating skilled jobs and encouraging adventure sports culture locally.