Two-month long paragliding, zorbing events kicked off in Kashmir

Sonamarg, Jun 4 (UNI) The two-month-long paragliding and zorbing events, the first ever in the Kashmir valley, began here.

The event, organised by the Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) and the Karakoram Explorers, would see participation of large number of tourists and locals.

Adventure sports such as white-water rafting, sledging and trekking would also be held in high altitude lakes, sparkling glaciers and mighty mountains during the period.

Speaking on the occasion yesterday, SDA Chief Executive Officer Nazir Ahmed Mir said Sonamarg (Golden Meadow) has got enormous potential for adventure tourism in the state.

''Such events have become the main source of recreation and entertainment for tourists at Sonamarg,'' he said, adding that it also helped in generating employment in the region.

The SDA had also organised the first ever summer snow skiing at Sonamarg on May 1, he said.

Last year, white water rafting was successfully conducted for a period of two months, he added.

Mr Mir said the SDA would hold a state level white water rafting championship in July.

Talking to UNI, Mohammad Murad Bhat of Karakoram Explorers said the sporting event of zorbing, an airfield ball with a chamber inside, was introduced in New Zealand about four years ago.

He said tandem (double) gliders carrying a pilot and a passenger were being used in the paragliding event.

Rs 600 per person for paragliding while Rs 200 per head for zorbing and water rafting events each would be charged, Bhat said.

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