Paragliding entrepreneurs of Pokhara on Sunday decided to shut their business following a dispute with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The annoyed businessmen halted all flights after the CAA accused them of not paying taxes.

Nepal Airsports Association Vice-President Shovit Baniya informed all flights were cancelled after officials stopped tourists from paragliding in Sarangkot on Sunday.    

According to Baniya, each paragliding pilot pays a tax amounting to NRS 1,00,800 per month and each company pays Nrs 45,200 annually. “We are already paying huge taxes,” Baniya said, “The authorities reached the paragliding site and asked to pay regular tax.”

Following the tax-dispute, around 150 tourists along with pilots returned without paragliding in Sarangkot.  

Paragliding, an adventure sport, started 20 years ago and till date there are 40 operational companies—out of 50 registered—with 157 pilots in Pokhara. 

The businessmen have accused the authorities of asking money in an unwarranted manner. However, the Aviation officials refused to comment on the matter. Authority Chief, Deepak Baral, who is currently in Kathmandu, did not take this correspondent’s call while other employees said they could not speak.