Shimla, Nov 24 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh will become the first state in the country to start grass skiing in a bid to promote adventure-related activities, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said here Tuesday.

'From the next year, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports would start grass skiing at the grassy downhill slopes of Solang Nullah. This would attract adventure sports lovers,' he said.

Solang Nullah is near the picturesque tourist spot of Manali in Kullu district.

The youth affairs and sports ministry has sanctioned Rs.1 crore under the National Sports Development Fund for the promotion of grass skiing in the state, he said.

'We are the first state in the country to introduce grass skiing. We will develop grassy slopes in other areas of the state too,' Dhumal said.

The Manali-based institute, set up in 1961, is conducting special activities for professionals and amateurs in adventure sports - mountaineering, back-packing, skiing, trekking, rafting, kayaking and paragliding.