Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has released draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP) for public feedback. The draft policy is available on the website of the Ministry and can also be accessed through the link: https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/sites/default/files/Draft-NASP-2022.pdf
The suggestions can be sent by 1700 hrs on January 31, 2022.
India has the potential to be among the leading nations in the world of air sports. It has a large geographical expanse, diverse topography and fair weather conditions. It has a large population, especially the youth. It has a growing culture for adventure sports and aviation. Other than the direct revenue from air sports activities, the multiplier benefits in terms of growth of travel, tourism, infrastructure, and local employment, especially in hilly areas of the country, are several times greater. Creation of air sports hubs across the country will also bring in air sports professionals and tourists from across the world, according to a PIB release.
The Government of India, therefore, plans to promote the country’s air sports sector by way of making it safe, affordable, accessible, enjoyable, and sustainable. Systems and processes need to be simplified and made more transparent; focus on quality, safety, and security needs to be enhanced; and investments in infrastructure, technology, training, and awareness building need to be facilitated.
The draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP 2022) is a step in this direction. It has been drafted on the basis of the inputs received from policy makers, air sports practitioners, and public at large. It is an evolving document and will be modified from time to time.
The key features of the Draft National Air Sports Policy incle :
- NASP 2022 covers sports like aerobatics, aeromodelling, amateur-built and experimental aircraft, ballooning, drones, gliding, hang gliding and paragliding; microlighting and paramotoring; skydiving and vintage aircraft.
- The vision is to make India one of the top air sports nations by 2030. The mission is to provide a safe, affordable, accessible, enjoyable and sustainable air sports ecosystem in India.
- NASP 2022 seeks to leverage India’s huge potential for air sports given its large geographical expanse, diverse topography and fair weather conditions.
- An Air Sports Federation of India (ASFI) will be established as the apex governing body. Associations for each air sport will handle day to day activities e.g. Paragliding Association of India or Skydiving Association of India etc.
- The air sports associations shall be accountable to ASFI with respect to the regulatory oversight and for providing safe, affordable, accessible, enjoyable and sustainable conduct of their respective air sport.
- ASFI shall represent India at FAI and other global platforms related to air sports. Greater participation and success of Indian sportspersons in global air sports events will be facilitated.
- Domestic design, development and manufacturing of air sports equipment will be promoted in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
- The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, is the world governing body for air sports. All competitions in India will be conducted as per the guidelines laid down by FAI.