Adventure Seekers’ Paradise: Water Sports and Paragliding Take Off in Bilaspur District

Adventure tourism in Bilaspur district has received a major boost with the official relaunch of water sports at Gobind Sagar Lake following the lifting of restrictions on activities in water bodies. On Sunday, Deputy Commissioner Rahul Kumar inaugurated the adventure season at the lake and flagged off paragliding operations from Bandla Dhar hill near Bilaspur town.

Speaking at the launch, the Deputy Commissioner said the state government has established the Tourism, Sports, Trade, and Employment Generation Society under the district administration to promote water and adventure sports across the region. Under this initiative, a variety of recreational options—such as speed boat rides, water scooters, banana rides, and cruise rides—will be offered to attract both domestic and international tourists.

He noted that while Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated water and adventure sports in the district last year, activities were temporarily suspended during the monsoon due to safety restrictions. With operations now resumed, plans are underway to host a three-day water sports festival featuring dragon boat races, kayaking, and canoeing competitions. Additionally, paragliding facilities at Bandla Dhar hill have been launched in collaboration with the tourism department.

Alongside these initiatives, the administration is preparing to promote island tourism on Gobind Sagar Lake, giving visitors the chance to explore its islands in a manner reminiscent of the Andaman and Nicobar tourism experience.

Rahul Kumar emphasized that such initiatives are helping transform Bilaspur into a hub for adventure tourism. “The state government’s focus on water and adventure sports has not only accelerated tourism development in Bilaspur but also created fresh opportunities for youth in transport, hospitality, and service sectors through jobs and entrepreneurship,” he said.