Gulmarg/Srinagar, January 21(Scoop News) – Talat Parvaz, Director Tourism, Kashmir, inaugurated first hot air balloon flight at IISM Gulmarg on the occasion of world snow day yesterday. He accompanied by Principal IISM J S Dhillon took the first flight to have a beautiful view of snow laden Gulmarg bowl. Within minutes of the flight, the spot was thronged by tourist who wanted to view Gulmarg bowl from the sky. Talat compliments Principal IISM for having taken such a wonderful initiative to promote Gulmarg as a world class adventure destination. IISM has become the most popular ski destination in the South Asia and all its courses are oversubscribed. Dhillon said that Institute has introduced hot air ballooning to make Gulmarg as a world class adventure destination as also to train the local youth in such activity so that they could promote hot air ballooning in other parts of the J&K. The balloon was piloted by Rohitaswa Bissa of National Adventure Foundation. Mehmood Shah, CEO, Gulmarg Development Authority, also took time from his busy schedule to fly in the hot air balloon. He said that view of snow laden Gulmarg bowl from the sky was amazing and he plans to take another flight to capture this view in his camera.
Indian Institute of Skiing & Mountaineering (IISM) led by J S Dhillon is giving immense contribution to the state in developing it as an adventure destination. In addition to snow skiing, snowboarding, it also conducts water skiing, parasailing and trekking courses. They also plan to introduce paragliding and white water rafting in the near future. The Institute has been fully revived in the last 02 years and is getting immense help from the Centre and State Govt. to conduct diversified adventure activities. The balloon will continue to fly in Gulmarg during the winters. It will train some local youth in operating the balloon as also entertain tourists to make their visit memorable to Gulmarg. Later in another flight the pilot Bissa demonstrated a jump from the balloon at 250 feet above the ground level and slithered down with the help of a rope. The balloon flight has added a new charm to the winter of the Gulmarg.