The 7th Nepal Open Paragliding Championship 2006 is kicking off in Pokhara on January 19 with the aim of promoting Pokhara as an adventure tourism destination and to contribute for the preservation of endangered vultures.

More than 100 Para-gliders are expected to take part in three categories of the five-day long event.

According to organizers, the championship will help in opening new avenues for the promotion of Himalayan adventure and will offer a powerful message to the receptive audience concerning the alarming rate of extinction of three vulture species.

Vultures play a vital role in our ecosystem by rapidly disposing of discarded carcasses that would otherwise pose a risk of disease.

Pokhara has remained one of the five world’s excellent areas for paragliding.

The organizers are also planning to organize a Paragliding World Cup in the days to come, according to reports.