JIM&WS Organises First-Ever Paragliding Fest in Pahalgam
25 pilots from across India showcase Kashmir’s adventure tourism potential
Convener News Desk
Pahalgam, Dec 2025: The Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports (JIM&WS) successfully organized its first-ever Paragliding Fest in the scenic Pahalgam Valley marking a significant milestone in the promotion of adventure sports in Jammu and Kashmir.
An official spokesperson if JIM&WS told Kashmir Convener that the Fest started on 1st December and concluded on Thursday. He said the four-day event brought together 25 experienced paragliding pilots from across India, highlighting the Valley’s growing potential as a premier destination for aerial adventure tourism.
The inaugural festival was aimed at encouraging local youth to pursue adventure sports while assessing and showcasing new paragliding sites across the Valley. The competition was conducted in two major categories.
The Accuracy Landing event took place in Aru Valley, with take-off from the Green Top area and landing at the designated site in Aru.
Meanwhile, the Maximum Altitude and Airtime contest was held in Pahalgam Valley, where pilots launched from Nagraad Top and landed at the Pahalgam Golf Course.
In the Accuracy category, Ankit Kumar of New Delhi secured the first position, followed by Anil Kumar of Himachal Pradesh in second place and Rakesh Kumar of Himachal Pradesh clinching third position.
In the Maximum Altitude and Airtime category, Anil Kumar of Himachal Pradesh emerged as the winner, while Vaibhav Rai and Gautam Bharli, both from Himachal Pradesh, secured the second and third positions respectively.
The closing ceremony was presided over by Brigadier Maneesh Parthsarthy, VSM, Commander 1 Sector Rashtriya Rifles, as the Chief Guest.
Other dignitaries present on the occasion included Colonel Surinder Karki, Commanding Officer 3 RR, SDM Pahalgam Qaiser Mehmood and senior officials of the civil administration.
All participating pilots were felicitated with certificates and consolation prizes, while the winners received cash awards in recognition of their performance.
Speaking on the occasion, Colonel Hem Chandra Singh, Principal of JIM&WS, expressed gratitude to the participants, organizers, volunteers, and dignitaries whose efforts ensured the success of the event.
He said the festival reflected India’s expanding footprint in adventure sports and reaffirmed JIM&WS’s commitment to developing skilled professionals while promoting safe and organized mountaineering and aerial sports activities.
Spokesperson said the successful conduct of the Paragliding Fest has positioned Pahalgam and the Kashmir Valley on the adventure sports map, opening new avenues for tourism, youth engagement, and sporting excellence in the region.
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