Kodagu emerging as a microflight destination

Verdant forests, a seemingly never-ending undulating terrain of green, hidden streams and little hamlets make Kodagu a sight to see from the air.

With adventure sport awareness increasing, it isn’t surprising that Kodagu has become an important destination for enthusiasts.

An official in the Department of Tourism in Kodagu told

The Hindu that the district was emerging as a hub for various adventure sports due to the undulating terrain, forests and rivers. While not many offer microlight flights in Kodagu — just Rajiv, the pilot of the ill-fated flight which crashed on Saturday, and Coorg Sky Adventures — many resorts have associated with them offering a “once-in-a-lifetime” adventure.

In Karnataka, only a few operators in Bengaluru, Mysuru and Kodagu offer microflights for the public. Paragliders in Bengaluru say the Jakkur aerodrome has run into issues after development all around the air strip has made flying difficult. This has contributed to the rise in popularity of paragliding and microflights in Kodagu. However, concerns whether safety guidelines are being adhered to remain. While it is mandatory to get licence before offering adventure sports as an activity, there is no mechanism to monitor if the safety measures and security guidelines are being complied with, said tourism officials.

District is emerging as a hub for various adventure sports due to the undulating terrain, forests and rivers