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NDTV
07-08-2025
- NDTV
Sankri Village: A Remote Himalayan Gem For Nature Lovers And Trekkers
Are you ready to trade the chaos of city life for the serenity of the Himalayas? If so, then you should plan your next trip to Sankri, a hidden gem in Uttarakhand. Perched at an altitude of 1950 meters (approximately 6,200 feet), the remote village is a haven for travellers seeking solace in nature's lap. With its picturesque valleys, majestic mountains and warm hospitality, it is the perfect destination for your next excursion. Dhruv and Ashim Shatsang Bogra, a husband-wife duo cycling 3,000 km across the Indian Himalayas, recently made a pit stop at Sankri. The couple shared their enchanting experience with their followers on Instagram. In the caption, they wrote, "Sankri is a remote village at 6500 ft., just nine trekking kms away from Kedarkantha peak, tucked away in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. It took us two hours to cover just the last eight km. The gradient was steep, and the road bad. Sankri is at the far end of the frontiers to the High Himalayan and is a starting point to many famous treks. It brought us closer to the magic of Nature and the incredibly beautiful landscapes." Dhruv and Ashim further shared that they stayed at the Meraki Art Cafe, a traditional home converted to a Homestay by local entrepreneurs. The couple had initially planned to cycle to Taluka, but ultimately decided against it due to unfavourable weather conditions. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dhruv and Ashim 🇮🇳 (@thepedalnomads) Did the place Sankri draw your attention? If yes, here're the basics you need to know to plan a trip to this remote village. Q. What Makes Sankri Village So Unique? Sankri is a remote Himalayan village nestled within the Govind Balabh Pant Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarakhand. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks like Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, and Black Peak, the village offers breathtaking views and a serene atmosphere that appeals to both trekkers and nature lovers. What truly sets Sankri apart is its rich biodiversity. The region is home to diverse flora and fauna, making it a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers. It is also a gateway to some of the most scenic and lesser-explored trekking routes in the Indian Himalayas. Beyond its natural beauty, Sankri offers a glimpse into local culture. Visitors can interact with villagers, learn about their traditions, and even participate in seasonal festivals that reflect the region's heritage. Q. How To Reach Sankri? Sankri is located about 200 kilometres from Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand. Here is how you can get there: By Road: You can drive or hire a taxi from Dehradun. The journey takes around 8-10 hours and passes through scenic towns like Mussoorie, Purola, and Mori. By Train: The nearest railway station is Dehradun. From there, you will need to travel by road. By Air: The closest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. After landing, continue by road to Sankri. Due to its remote location, it is advisable to start early and plan your journey with buffer time, especially during monsoon or winter months. Q. What Is The Best Time To Visit Sankri? Sankri is a year-round destination, but the experience varies with the seasons: Summer (April to June): Pleasant weather, ideal for trekking and sightseeing. Monsoon (July to September): Lush greenery, but trekking routes may be slippery. Autumn (October to November): Clear skies and stunning views of snow-capped peaks. Winter (December to March): Snow-covered trails, perfect for the Kedarkantha trek. For trekking, October to April is considered the best window, depending on the trail and your comfort with cold weather. Q. What Are The Top Attractions In Sankri Village? Sankri is more than just a base camp; it has its own charm. Here are some highlights: Swargarohini Viewpoint: Offers panoramic views of the majestic peak. Local Markets: Small shops selling woollens, trekking gear, and local snacks. Traditional Wooden Houses: A glimpse into Garhwali architecture and lifestyle. Cultural Experiences: Interact with locals, enjoy folk music, and taste regional cuisine. If you are staying for a day or two before or after a trek, these spots offer a relaxed way to soak in the village vibe. Q. How Long Does It Take To Explore Sankri? If you are not heading out on a trek, exploring Sankri village itself can be done in 1 to 2 days. This includes leisurely walks, photography, local interactions, and short hikes to nearby viewpoints. However, if you are combining your visit with a trek, like Kedarkantha or Har Ki Dun, you will need 4 to 7 days, depending on the trail and itinerary.
India Today
06-08-2025
- Science
- India Today
Glacial lake outburst: Why they are a big threat for the Himalayas
Heavy rains followed by flash floods ravaged the village of Dharali in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, on Tuesday. After analysing the frequency and pattern of the floods, meteorologists suggest that the mudslide could have been from a glacial lake outburst, not directly a cloudburst.A glacial lake forms in front of shrinking glaciers, surrounded by unstable and unconsolidated materials such as rocks, boulders, pebbles, and the structures surrounding the lake burst due to a heavy inflow of water, it results in what is known as a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF). According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), 189 glacial lakes in the Indian Himalayas are considered high risk, with most located in the Central and Eastern Himalayas. Damage reported in Dharali market area due to flash floods triggered by a cloudburst at Kheer Gad area of Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. (PTI) Speaking about the frequency of GLOFs, Ashim Sattar, Assistant Professor at IIT Bhubaneswar, said, 'There is no frequency of it, as till now we have three major GLOF events.''We do not have the trend of increasing or decreasing frequency of such outbursts. And also, there is not enough data on long-term frequency. Whatever is available doesn't give distinct frequency data.'WHY HAVE THEY BECOME A THREAT IN THE HIMALAYAS?The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had earlier released a report on the expanding glaciers in the Himalayan region. The report revealed that many glacial lakes have rapidly expanded in the mentioned that, out of 2,431 glacial lakes larger than 10 hectares, 676 have expanded significantly, with 130 of these located in India.'Smaller lakes, even the supraglacial lakes, are causing big disasters. That is a matter of concern,' said Ashim. Steep topography, high seismic activity, and increasing global warming have intensified the severity of GLOFs in the Himalayan region, along with heavy rainfall, snowmelt, landslides, and interventions, such as infrastructure development near glacial lakes, can also trigger an outburst. For example, the Chamoli GLOF disaster of 2021 was linked to hydroelectric projects in the TO PREVENT SUCH OUTBURSTS?Preventing disasters from GLOFs requires proper monitoring before an event occurs. India has installed early monitoring systems at Sikkim's Shakho Chho Glacial glacial lake outbursts in time can help prevent downstream disasters. Glacial lakes in India are tracked using satellite images. 'To reduce this risk of damage to infrastructure and communities, early warning systems can be an option, so that people will have enough time to evacuate,' said have been monitored by satellite data to see how they are changing over time. But monitoring would not solve the problem of disasters.'The topography of the Himalayas makes monitoring difficult. 'High regions are difficult to monitor, but satellite images can help us,' Ashim expressed hope. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?The threat of GLOFs could loom larger in the coming years due to a warming calls for a comprehensive risk management strategy, the utilisation of technology to install early monitoring devices in the region, collaboration on transboundary data, and sustainable infrastructure planning.- Ends
