Adventure activity expected to boost tourism, employment in Barsoo village of Pulwama

PAMPORE: In an exciting development for tourism and local employment, 29-year-old mountaineer Nahida Manzoor has introduced paragliding activities in Barsoo village, Awantipora, in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Known for its scenic beauty, Barsoo now offers adventure enthusiasts an exhilarating new experience, enhancing its appeal as a tourist destination.
The inauguration ceremony, held on Saturday, was met with enthusiasm from the local community. Residents believe that paragliding will attract tourists from across the region and beyond, providing a much-needed boost to the local economy. Increased tourism is expected to create numerous job opportunities, helping to combat unemployment in the area.
At the event, officials from Pampori and Daughters Adventure expressed optimism about the future prospects of Barsoo Village. “This is a landmark day for our community,” they said. “Paragliding will not only showcase the natural beauty of Barsoo but also bring economic benefits through tourism. We are committed to ensuring the safety and satisfaction of all visitors.”
Local attendees of the inaugural flights were thrilled with the experience. “The views from above are simply breathtaking,” said a visitor. “This is a fantastic addition to the adventure tourism options in the region.”
The residents of Barsoo are hopeful that this new venture will pave the way for more development projects, further enhancing the village’s appeal as a tourist destination. With paragliding now on offer, Barsoo Village is poised to become a key player in Pulwama’s tourism sector, contributing to the overall growth and prosperity of the region.
Nahida Manzoor, a resident of Zewan Panthachowk, Srinagar, who summited Mount Everest in 2019, has been running the adventure company Pampori and Daughters Adventure for the past five years. Speaking to Kashmir Reader, she shared that after successful trials and demonstrations, she approached the district administration for approval.
“I am very happy to start paragliding in Barsoo, which has already been designated as a tourist place,” she said, adding that she hopes the activity will generate employment for local people. She expressed her gratitude to Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Dr. Basharat Qayoom, SSP Awantipora Ajaz Ahmad Zargar, ADC Pulwama, ADC Awantipora, and security forces for their support.
“I want this to benefit Barsoo village, where there is a lot of unemployment, so that people here can find employment through this. It’s not just that I will benefit from paragliding, but many others here will also get jobs. There’s no greater happiness for me than being able to provide employment to others.”
The paragliding activity will run from 9 am to 5 pm, with 30 to 40 flights taking off daily, depending on tourist flow. Manzoor, deeply invested in promoting tourism and adventure sports in the region, appealed to adventure lovers to come and explore the beauty of the place.
Local resident Javaid Ahmad appreciated the government for introducing paragliding in Barsoo village. “Barsoo is situated along the Srinagar-Jammu highway, which generates employment for local people,” he said. He added that the government conducted a survey and found Barsoo suitable for paragliding due to the Wasturwan mountain in the background.
Ahmad further explained that Nahida Manzoor’s initiative is excellent for the tourism sector, attracting both national and international tourists. He hopes this venture will progress further, providing opportunities for local youth to gain employment and benefit from the growing tourism industry.

BILAL HABIB