Latest news with #ColdWar-era
News18
a day ago
- News18
Uttarakhand To Reopen Nanda Devi For Expeditions After More Than Four Decades
Last Updated: The Indian Mountaineering Foundation, with Uttarakhand's Tourism and Forest Departments, is leading the plan, but it's still pending official approval from the state. Nanda Devi, India's second-highest peak after Mount Kanchenjunga, is finally reopening its routes to climbers. After being off-limits for over four decades, this majestic peak is being reopened under a new tourism initiative by the Uttarakhand government. Why Was The Nanda Devi Closed? Nanda Devi was closed to climbers in 1983 due to environmental concerns and the aftermath of a Cold War-era nuclear surveillance operation that had gone awry. Since then, the peak has remained inaccessible, wrapped in mystery and reverence. Now, with renewed interest in mountaineering and growing enthusiasm among trekkers, the government is working toward making it climbable once more. Tourism-Driven Revival This initiative is being spearheaded by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) in collaboration with the Uttarakhand Tourism and Forest Departments. As part of this joint initiative, the IMF proposed reopening Nanda Devi for controlled expeditions. Though the state's tourism department has yet to officially greenlight the plan, the proposal signals a strong intent to boost eco-tourism in the region. In addition to Nanda Devi, other peaks – including Baljuri, Laspadhura, and Bhanolti in Bageshwar district, as well as Rudragaira in Uttarkashi – are also being considered for reopening. In India, the spiritual dimension of travel holds deep meaning, and the Nanda Devi region is no exception. For locals and pilgrims, this is not just another peak – it's sacred terrain. Indulge Express quoted one spokesperson who said, 'The Nanda Raj Jat yatra, held every 12 years, draws pilgrims nationwide to the Himalayas. It's a profound spiritual journey, underscoring Nanda Devi's immense religious significance for millions." He went on to say, 'The yatra is more than a trek; it's a sacred experience that showcases the region's rich cultural heritage." The reopening of Nanda Devi has sparked excitement across the mountaineering community, but it also raises a crucial question: can tourism be balanced with conservation? Preserving the fragile Himalayan ecosystem while allowing access to climbers will be a test of thoughtful planning and environmental responsibility. view comments First Published: July 19, 2025, 09:11 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
NATO Warns India, Brazil, China: Align With West or Face Sanctions
NATO Warns India, Brazil, China: Align With West or Face Sanctions Last Updated: July 16, 2025, 14:54 IST Breaking News Videos NATO warns India, Brazil, China: support Russia and face sanctions—raising fears of a new Cold War-era global power divide. homevideos NATO Warns India, Brazil, China: Align With West or Face Sanctions CNN name, logo and all associated elements ® and © 2024 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All rights reserved. CNN and the CNN logo are registered marks of Cable News Network, LP LLLP, displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them. © Copyright Network18 Media and Investments Ltd 2024. All rights reserved.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Uttarakhand mulls reopening Nanda Devi for mountaineers after 42-year ban
Dehradun: Uttarakhand is considering reopening Nanda Devi, India's second-highest peak (7,816m) after the Kanchenjungha, for mountaineering expeditions, more than four decades after it was closed in 1983 due to environmental concerns and a Cold War-era nuclear surveillance operation. The proposal was discussed during a high-level meeting between officials of the tourism department and the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) in Dehradun this week. Tourism secretary Dhiraj Singh Garbyal said the proposal was "under active consideration". He told TOI, "During the meeting, the issue of reopening of Nanda Devi was discussed with the IMF authorities. We have sought a formal proposal from them and on getting it, we will actively take up the matter with other stakeholders. The IMF has been making efforts for the reopening of the peak, but now the state tourism department will also follow the matter. " The meeting also discussed opening four additional peaks for mountaineering: Baljuri (5,922m), Laspadhura (5,913m), Bhanolti (5,645m) in Bageshwar district, and Rudragaira (5,819m) in Uttarkashi. In addition, officials proposed keeping Gangotri National Park open between Oct and March to allow winter wildlife tourism, especially for snow leopard tracking, based on the Hemis National Park model in Ladakh. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buying a Luxury Villa in Dubai: Step-by-Step Guide Villa for sale in Dubai | Search Ads Learn More Undo IMF president Colonel Vijay Singh said he had submitted a formal letter to the state govt requesting the resumption of expeditions on Nanda Devi. He said reopening the peak could significantly boost adventure tourism in the state. Nanda Devi, situated in Chamoli district of Garhwal Himalayas, was closed ostensibly to protect its fragile ecosystem but many believe a contributing factor could also have been an aborted secret mission to the peak that has continued to be an intriguing mystery. In 1965, a joint operation by the CIA and India's Intelligence Bureau attempted to place a nuclear-powered surveillance device near the summit of Nanda Devi to monitor Chinese missile activity. The device, fuelled by around 5kg of plutonium-238, was abandoned during a snowstorm and could not be recovered in a follow-up mission in 1966. It remains lost in the glacier, and while no contamination has been officially confirmed, experts have long warned that the radioactive material could pose an environmental risk to the rivers fed by the mountain's ice. Attempts to reopen Nanda Devi have been made in the past but have remained inconclusive. In 2001, the Centre gave in-principle approval to the state govt to allow controlled eco-tourism in the inner sanctuary on a trial basis. However, the plan was dropped after objections from conservationists and the scientific community. A similar attempt in 2012 by the then-state govt to permit limited expeditions was also withdrawn after sustained pressure from environmental groups, who warned that the sanctuary's fragile terrain and unique biodiversity could not absorb commercial activity. Environmental groups have consistently flagged the risk of increased human interference in the area, saying the region has only gradually recovered since the 1983 ban. Any future proposal to reopen the peak will require not just state-level clearances, but approvals from national environmental authorities, forest agencies and ecological review committees. The last major ascent of Nanda Devi took place in 1976. Earlier summits include the historic 1936 British-American climb and India's second ascent in 1964 led by Col N Kumar. The sanctuary was declared a national park in 1982 and a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1988. The area supports over 1,000 species of flora and rare alpine fauna such as snow leopards, blue sheep and Himalayan musk deer, across altitudes ranging from 1,800m to 7,817m. Nanda Devi also holds religious significance. The Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra, held once every 12 years, crosses alpine pastures like Bedni Bugyal and draws thousands of pilgrims. The 20-day-long yatra, in which pilgrims cover around 280km of the Himalayan terrain on foot, is scheduled to take place next year.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Hiding in the shadows: How Russia's reviving Cold War tricks to keep its nuclear threat moving
Russia's nuclear infrastructure is growing in the shadows. Satellite images reveal extensive construction at five sites, from Belarus to Kamchatka, as Moscow reinforces old Cold War-era bases with new bunkers, railheads and tunnels. Analysts say this modernisation is about more than just maintenance — it signals a sharpening edge to Russia's nuclear threat in a Europe unsettled by the Ukraine war. At each site, fresh security, hidden guardposts and new facilities hint at plans yet to be declared. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Belarus: The railhead returns Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Gadzhiyevo: Submarines in the North Kaliningrad: A Baltic mystery Kamchatka: Torpedoes and tunnels Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Novaya Zemlya: Where the Tsar bomb echoes Recent satellite images, reviewed by Business Insider and captured by Planet Labs this May and June, show Russia quietly hardening its nuclear infrastructure. Sites once sleepy or left over from Soviet days now bristle with fences, hidden checkpoints and fresh Kristensen, who leads the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists, summed it up: 'One thing they've done is put a perimeter up that consists of three layers of fencing, and the middle layer is more enhanced.'He's talking about Asipovichy, a Belarusian site that's become the Kremlin's forward operating point for tactical miles east of Asipovichy sits the 1,405th Ammunition Base. A glance at old photos shows a bare patch of land. Now, there's a fenced compound, covered guard posts, a hidden unloading ramp and a massive orange command antenna. Kristensen spotted signs that the Russians are linking it to the Belarusian rail network: 'That's an absolute must for the Russian nuclear infrastructure. If they need to transport nuclear warheads in here, they would most likely not be flown in, but put in by rail.'Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin have both said Belarus could host Russian warheads. Yet Pavel Podvig of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research thinks the nukes aren't there yet: 'It's more likely the weapons assigned to the site are stored in a national-level site. They would be moved to Asipovichy when necessary.'Across town sits another clue — an Iskander missile base with new garages. These mobile launchers can carry tactical nuclear payloads, and fresh tyre tracks suggest they're not just for north to Gadzhiyevo, Murmansk. This naval depot services Russia's nuclear-armed submarines. Look closely at the satellite snaps: you'll spot cranes hoisting intercontinental ballistic missiles into the subs, and carved-out mountain bunkers shielding the warheads from prying September 2022 and May 2025, six new buildings popped up near the missile handling area. Kristensen thinks they're storage or maintenance sheds for the arsenal. Podvig agrees: 'The missile storage is clearly undergoing a major expansion.'Kaliningrad is wedged between Lithuania and Poland. Its military base has long been suspected of storing tactical nukes. Old Google Street View images even show posters bragging about the unit's Cold War 2020 and June this year, new fencing went up and bunkers were dug up, rebuilt and buried again. A small grey guard shack appeared near a covered checkpoint. Michael Duitsman from the Middlebury Institute notes: 'We don't yet know what it is, but it's a new feature of these sites.'Whatever it is, it matches the same structure found at Asipovichy — not a detail analysts are likely to the Bering Sea from Alaska, Kamchatka hosts one of Russia's Pacific nuclear hubs. This base is lined with bunkers and heavy security fencing. It's also where Russia plans to station its Poseidon nuclear torpedoes — long-range, self-propelled and designed to cross oceans on their photos show two new buildings near an old mountain storage site. Kristensen believes these could be fresh warhead bays. 'That's where they roll in the warheads individually in a trolley, and sort of line them up against the wall.'By June 2025, a new T-shaped building and extra perimeter fences had appeared too. Duitsman sees classic signs of nuclear upkeep: triple fencing and tight guard on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago, north of the Arctic Circle, lies a frozen relic of Soviet power. In 1961, the USSR detonated the Tsar Bomba here — the largest nuclear blast ever. Today, this island is back in the explains why: 'It's where they certify the warhead nuclear designs, but they don't need to conduct a live nuclear test that produces a yield.' Instead, they run subcritical experiments — nuclear tinkering that stops short of an actual 2021 and this summer, a large new building rose near the old test tunnels. By June, the compound's expansion looked complete. New tunnel entrances appeared too. 'A whole new tunnel in the mountain next to the other one, and personnel buildings, this is a big activity beef-up,' Kristensen though, urges caution: 'Russia has a policy of keeping the site prepared for the resumption of tests, if necessary. The US has a similar policy.'None of this happens in a vacuum. While Russia revamps its stockpiles, the US is upgrading its own. The Cold War-era Minuteman III missiles are being replaced by the Sentinel. China, too, is busy adding to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Russia still holds the biggest arsenal in the world, with about 4,300 active warheads. The US isn't far behind at 3, satellite images are just pixels — but they point to something more concrete. Nuclear weapons, once the ultimate relic of another era, are very much back at the heart of Russian strategy. Hidden fences. Guardhouses no one can explain. Bunkers that vanish and not just maintenance. It's a signal. And the world is watching.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Pentagon aims to boost US rare earth supply with local firms
THE U.S. Department of Defense plans to continue investing in critical minerals projects to ensure a diverse American supply of the building blocks for weapons and many electronics, a defense official told Reuters on Tuesday. The Pentagon signed a multibillion-dollar deal last week to become the largest shareholder in rare earths producer MP Materials and also agreed to several financial backstop measures for the company. The move - which the defense official said reflected a desire to 'share the risk' inherent in minerals projects - sparked questions across the mining sector about whether other companies could see similar investments from the U.S. military. The Pentagon has invested almost $540 million into critical minerals projects and 'will continue such efforts in accordance with congressional appropriations and statutory authorities,' the official said. 'Rebuilding the critical minerals and rare earth magnet sectors of the U.S. industrial base won't happen overnight, but (the Pentagon) is taking immediate action to streamline processes and identify opportunities to strengthen critical minerals production,' the official added. The U.S. government and military recognize that the country no longer can produce or process many critical minerals, but plans to 'take the necessary time and precautions to produce critical minerals and associated products in a safe and responsible fashion,' the official said, adding that approach was unlike China's. Chinese mining standards are considered to be lower than those in the United States. The MP deal structure reflects a 'unique approach' by the U.S. government to 'account for the difficulties in establishing and sustaining production of critical rare earth magnets in a market environment in which China controls much of the supply chain,' the official said. The Pentagon investment in MP was undertaken via a Cold War-era law known as the Defense Production Act, as well as its Office of Strategic Capital, the official said. - Reuters
