Obstacles in Chitwan Paragliding; Government Action Sought

Paragliding operations in Chitwan have encountered obstacles due to the challenging road conditions leading to Chaukidanda. Situated in Ward No. 29 of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Chaukidanda serves as the departure point for paragliding flights in Chitwan. Regrettably, vehicular access to the area has been hindered by monsoon-induced road damage, causing issues for the flights, explained Vijay Ghale, President of Himalayan Frontiers Paragliding Company, which has managed commercial flights in the district since April 1, 2023.

Traveling 9 kilometers uphill from Bhorle on a gravel road along the Muglin-Narayangarh highway grants access to Chaukidanda. Due to monsoon-inflicted road damage, the company suspended operations on June 30. President Ghale had hoped that flights could resume by the end of Bhadra; however, delays in repair efforts have prevented any progress. He emphasized that infrastructure development should be handled by the state because entrepreneurs cannot tackle such tasks alone.

The initiation of paragliding flights in Chitwan was well-received by local entrepreneurs engaged in safari tourism. Unfortunately, Bharatpur Metropolitan City's assigned construction project for the Bhorle-Kavilas road segment has failed to progress at a satisfactory pace due to budget limitations. As a result, vehicular movement has been negatively impacted. To address this, the company is now repairing damaged portions of the road to accommodate four-wheelers and is planning to resume flights on December 1, 2023.

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Shailendra Raut, General Secretary of Nepal Paragliding and Hang Gliding Association (NEPHA) and a director of the company, stated they are prepared to continue paragliding flights once the road becomes passable. President Ghale requested that if the municipality addresses road accessibility in Chaukidanda, they will be inspired to increase their infrastructure investments. Ghale further noted that it is the government's obligation not only to collect taxes but also to supply appropriate infrastructure.

Although Bharatpur Metropolitan City declared 2024 as "Visit Bharatpur Year" and highlighted paragliding as a significant tourist attraction, entrepreneurs argue that persistent issues with paragliding, which should have been resolved before Dashain, remain unaddressed. Furthermore, the company has unveiled plans for a resort at Chaukidanda. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated this enterprise on May 1, 2023 – the first company to receive permission for paragliding in Chitwan.

Acquiring 5 bighas of land at Chaukidanda, the company has established a paragliding site and resort. At an elevation of 1,200 meters, Chaukidanda provides an ideal location for paragliding operations within a radius of 1.85 nautical miles. As such, flights can reach heights of up to 5,000 meters.

Paragliders touch down on Trishuli River's shores in Devghat Rural Municipality-5 of Tanahu. Some trees at the landing area are also being removed to improve accessibility. Company president Ghale is confident that these improvements will extend tourists' visits in Chitwan. A glide from Chaukidanda to Trishuli takes roughly 20 minutes.