The Uttarakhand government is moving ahead with plans to introduce a unified trekking and mountaineering policy aimed at improving safety and streamlining adventure activities in the Himalayan region.
The initiative comes in the wake of incidents on high-altitude routes, including those in the Dayara Bugyal area of Uttarkashi, which highlighted the need for stronger regulations and better coordination among agencies involved in adventure tourism.
The Forest Department has prepared and submitted a draft policy to the state government. After consultations with the Tourism Department, the proposal will be finalised and placed before the state cabinet for approval.
In recent years, changing weather patterns and natural disasters have increased risks for trekkers and mountaineers. While guidelines already exist, they are currently spread across different departments, including forest, tourism and local administration, often leading to coordination challenges during emergencies.
The proposed unified policy seeks to address these gaps by establishing a common framework for trekking and mountaineering activities across the state.
Special Focus on Safety and Accountability
The draft policy places significant emphasis on safety standards and accountability. Responsibilities of tour operators, guides, porters and trekkers will be clearly defined to ensure better management of adventure activities.
Registration and verification of trekkers and mountaineers are proposed to be made mandatory. The policy also includes provisions regarding reporting procedures during emergencies, outlining how trekkers, guides and porters must communicate incidents to authorities.
Officials are also considering stricter accountability measures for guides and porters, ensuring that they serve not only as route leaders but also as safety facilitators during expeditions.
A dedicated online portal has also been proposed to simplify registration, verification and information-sharing processes, making trekking and mountaineering activities more accessible and organised.
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Principal Secretary (Forest) Ramesh Kumar Sudhanshu said the draft policy is undergoing a detailed practical review. After discussions with the Tourism Department, the final proposal will be submitted for cabinet approval. Once approved, the state government will begin implementing the policy and related measures.
