In a major move to promote adventure tourism, the Uttarakhand government is preparing to reopen the iconic Nanda Devi peak for mountaineering after nearly four decades. The Indian Mountaineering Foundation, along with the state’s Tourism and Forest Departments, is drafting a formal proposal for this initiative.
The proposal was discussed during a high-level meeting chaired by Tourism Secretary Dheeraj Singh Garbyal, where officials deliberated on expanding mountaineering activities in the state. Notably, mountaineering on Nanda Devi, one of India’s highest and most revered peaks, has been prohibited since the 1980s due to environmental and security concerns. The Indian Mountaineering Foundation officially suggested reopening the peak during the meeting.
The discussions also included strategic matters related to permitting expeditions near border peaks, in line with National Security Council guidelines. Key attendees included Chief Conservator of Forests P.K. Patro, IMF Director Colonel Madan Gurung, Secretary Kirti Payas, Additional CEO Dr. Pooja Garbyal, and TTF founder Rakesh Pant.
In a related move, the Tourism Department has proposed opening Gangotri National Park for tourists during the winter season (October–March), a time when the elusive snow leopard is more likely to be spotted. The model of Hemis National Park in Ladakh, which remains open throughout the year, was cited as a reference.
Simpler Registration Process for Trekking
The Forest Department also introduced its work on an integrated single-window portal to ease the registration process for trekkers. Efforts are underway to assess the carrying capacity of trekking routes and possibly limit the number of trekkers based on environmental impact studies.
Proposal for Annual National Adventure Tourism Meet
IMF President Colonel Vijay Singh proposed hosting an annual national-level Adventure Tourism Meet, bringing together tour operators, stakeholders, and adventure tourism professionals on a shared platform to boost coordination and planning in this sector.
