Pench to now offer hot air balloon rides and paramotoring to boost tourism

Kolitmara in west Pench, which is well-known for its wildlife tourism, has recently added exciting attractions for visitors—paramotoring and hot air balloon rides. The introduction of these adventure sports in the buffer zone of Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), Maharashtra, was approved by the statutory local advisory committee (LAC), led by Nagpur divisional commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari.

Tourists visiting Kolitmara will now have the opportunity to experience the thrill of paramotoring and hot air balloon rides, each priced at 2,500 and 1,500, respectively. This initiative makes Pench the pioneer among tiger reserves in India to venture into adventure tourism within its buffer zone.
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Situated on the banks of the Pench river, Kolitmara has often been overshadowed by Sillari in east Pench, where most tourists flock for tiger sightings. However, blessed with scenic beauty, Kolitmara has now positioned itself as an adventure destination offering a unique perspective of the open blue sky and surroundings.
Deputy Director of Pench Prabhu Nath Shukla expressed the beauty and allure of Kolitmara, surrounded by dense forests and tribal villages. The picturesque scenery offers a mesmerizing visual experience, making it an ideal setting for adventure activities.


Shukla explained that paramotoring flights, conducted successfully during the last three days, carry one person along with a pilot. Additionally, hot air balloon rides will provide an opportunity for a group experience, accommodating up to four persons and ascending to 300 feet.

Supported by the District Ecotourism Fund, this project is a collaboration between Maharshi Adventures Sports, Gondia, and the Kolitmara Eco-development Committee. Beyond the thrill-seeking aspect, the initiative aims to provide direct employment to more than 15 local youths, contributing to the local economy.

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Shukla anticipates that the adventure project will not only attract thrill-seekers, but also boost wildlife tourism, resulting in ecotourism-based livelihoods for locals. Kolitmara has already seen success in attracting school students for nature camps, providing tent accommodation at a nominal charge of 200.

Expanding its tourism offerings, Kolitmara had previously launched agrotourism, featuring machan sittings, bullock cart and boat rides, bird watching, village life exploration tours, boating, and a 45 km cycle trail.

Further, there are other future plans too that include the launch of a 25 km nature safari route in Banera and the procurement of two motorboats for a 25 km-long Pench river safari from Kolitmara to Navegaon Khairi. The river safari, priced at 1,500 per person, aims to provide another exciting dimension to the tourism experience in Kolitmara.

Kolitmara is not only a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, but has now also diversified its offerings to become an adventure and ecotourism destination, providing an enriching experience for visitors while supporting local communities and promoting sustainable tourism practices.