Visitors to Kolitmara in West Pench now have more to enjoy as the tiger reserve adds paramotoring and hot air balloon rides. Reports say each person will pay 2,500 for paramotoring and 1,5000 for a hot air balloon ride. On November 8, 2023, the local advisory committee, led by Nagpur divisional commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari, approved the adventure sports project in the buffer zone of Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), Maharashtra.
On Friday, paramotoring and hot air balloon tourism were launched in Kolitmara. Pench is perhaps the first tiger reserve in the country to launch such adventure tourism in its buffer zone. Pench river divides Kolitmara from Sillari in east Pench. Most tourists visit Sillari for tiger sightings giving Kolitmara, which is endowed with scenic and natural beauty, a miss. “Tourists can now enjoy the beauty of the open blue sky and surroundings via paramotoring, hot air balloon,” Prabhu Nath Shukla, deputy director, Pench.
This Friday, paramotoring and hot air balloon rides were launched in Kolitmara. Pench is likely the first tiger reserve in the country to have these exciting activities in its buffer zone. Kolitmara is separated from Sillari by the Pench River in East Pench. Most tourists go to Sillari for tiger sightings, missing out on the scenic beauty of Kolitmara. “Now, visitors can experience the beauty of the open sky and surroundings with paramotoring and hot air balloon rides”, Prabhu Nath Shukla, deputy director of Pench.
The Pench river is surrounded by thick forests and tribal villages, offering captivating views. The beautiful scenery provides a mesmerizing visual experience. “We’ve been testing for the past three days. Each paramotoring flight will have one person with a pilot. There’s also a chance to ride hot air balloons up to 300 feet, with each flight carrying four people,” explained Shukla.