A major safety scare has led to the immediate suspension of all tandem paragliding activities at the popular Garsa site near Bhuntar in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district. The drastic action follows a terrifying incident where a young tourist from Mumbai fell from a height of over 50 feet during landing, sustaining grievous injuries.
The Mid-Air Horror: Harness Failure Leads to Fall
The victim, identified as 23-year-old Divay Prajapati, was on a holiday trip to Kullu-Manali with friends when tragedy struck on the afternoon of December 27. According to the preliminary inquiry, the passenger safety harness came loose while the paraglider was in the air around 3 pm, causing Divay to plummet to the ground.
While Divay fell, the pilot reportedly remained airborne for several more seconds before making a safe landing. Divay was rushed to the Regional Hospital in Kullu town and later referred to the Post Graduate Institute (PGI) in Chandigarh for advanced care. A police officer confirmed that the young tourist was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and his condition remained unstable.
A formal complaint filed by Divay's friend, Kanak, at the Bhuntar police station led to the registration of a case against the pilot. The charges have been framed under section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for a negligent act that endangers human life.
Administration Cracks Down, Operator Under Scrutiny
Kullu District Tourism Development Officer, Rohit Sharma, revealed a concerning attempt to cover up the incident. He stated that the paragliding operator failed to inform the tourism department about the accident and tried to suppress the facts. "We issued him a show-cause notice, but paragliding activities went on at the site," Sharma told TOI.
This lack of transparency prompted the administration to take a firm stand. "The administration decided to suspend paragliding activities at the Garsa site until the inquiry report comes in. Any final decision against the operator and the pilot will depend on the outcome of the probe," Sharma added. Sources indicate that a magisterial inquiry is also likely to be ordered into the matter.
A Deadly Pattern: Paragliding's Safety Record Under Lens
This incident is not isolated but part of a deeply worrying trend in the paragliding hubs of Kullu and Kangra districts. Shockingly, ten fatalities have been recorded since February 2024, with six occurring in this year alone.
The day before Divay's accident, on December 26, a tandem paragliding pilot, 35-year-old Mohan Singh, died after his paraglider crashed shortly after taking off from Billing in Kangra district. The tourist with him was injured but survived.
A timeline of recent tragedies highlights the persistent risks:
- Jan 17, 2025: A 28-year-old tourist from Tamil Nadu died after a mid-air collision in Garsa valley.
- Jan 18, 2025: A 19-year-old tourist from Gujarat died during take-off from Dharamshala.
- Feb 11, 2024: A 26-year-old tourist from Telangana fell to her death after her harness gave way mid-air near Manali.
These repeated incidents have cast a long shadow over the adventure tourism industry in Himachal Pradesh, raising urgent questions about operator accountability, equipment maintenance, and regulatory oversight. The suspension at Garsa is a reactive measure, but the string of fatalities demands a comprehensive safety overhaul to prevent the majestic Himalayan skies from turning deadly for thrill-seekers.
