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NDTV
28-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Sikkim Seeks Ban On Scaling Kanchenjunga, Days After Army Team Summitted It
The Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has written to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to hold talks with Nepal to bring into effect a ban on scaling Mt Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain peak in the world, as it is regarded sacred by the people of his state. Climbing the Kanchenjunga is not allowed from the Sikkimese side and mountaineers scale the peak from the Nepal side. In the letter, Mr Tamang referred to the May 18 ascent of the peak by a five-member team from the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS) from the Nepal side, adding that this has hurt Sikkim's indigenous communities. The Chief Minister wrote, "Mount Khangchendzonga holds profound spiritual and religious significance for the people of Sikkim. Regarded as the most sacred mountain in the state its name translates to "Five Treasures Of The High Snows", symbolising five divine treasures. According to the Sikkimese belief system, these treasures remain hidden and shall be revealed only to the devout when the world is in grave peril." "The mountain is revered as the abode of the principal guardian and protector-deity of Sikkim known as the 'Dzoe-Nga'. This sacred being is worshipped as the 'Pho-Lha,' or chief of the entire assemblage of supernatural entities of Sikkim. These deities were recognised and anointed as the 'Guardian Deities of the Land' by Ugyen Guru Rinpoche, also known as Guru Padmasambhava, the patron saint of Sikkim," he further wrote. Asking for a complete ban on mountaineering activities on the mountain, the Mr Tamang wrote the move will be "in deference to the deeply-held beliefs and cultural values of the people of Sikkim". His letter comes after Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) raised the issue with the authorities. On April 4 this year, the SIBLAC wrote to the Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur, seeking his immediate attention for safeguarding the cultural and spiritual heritage of Sikkim. "The Government of Sikkim in 2001, banned expeditions to Mount Khangchendzongna under the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which protects sacred sites. This ban was reinforced by Article 371 (F) of the Indian Constitution, which safeguards Sikkim's cultural and religious laws post its 1975 merger with India, under which there exists a law prohibiting the climbing of this mountain. Additionally, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, revoked its earlier decision to open this mountain in September 2019, removing Kanchenjunga and thirteen other sacred peaks from the list of open peaks", the SIBLAC said in a letter to the Governor. The Indian Army's NIMAS, located at Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh, summitted Mount Kangchenjunga (8,586 metres), as part of the 'Har Shikhar Tiranga' Mission, a patriotic mission to hoist the Indian national flag atop the highest peak of each of India's 28 states. The summitting of the Kanchenjunga has secured a 100 per cent success for the NIMAS. "This wasn't just another expedition for us. This was the final summit of the iconic Har Shikhar Tiranga Mission - a journey to hoist the Tricolour on the highest peak of every Indian state. With this climb, Team NIMAS has etched history - completing a mission that fused adventure, patriotism, and purpose. 5 team members, 100 per cent success, and a summit that tested every ounce of our will. To all those who believed, supported, and prayed , this one is for you. And to the mighty Kangchenjunga - you humbled us, and you made us better," the mountaineering team from NIMAS said. The NIMAS team summitted the Kanchenjunga using the normal route that mountaineers use, which is climbing the mountain from the Nepal side and sources say the expedition was conducted with utmost respect and reverence to all beliefs. The mountain is accessible to mountaineers and Nepal has not imposed any ban on the climbing of the mountain. Sources familiar with the expedition told NDTV that they were surprised the summiting of the peak has become an issue. "Mountaineering activity continues at the Kanchenjunga normally and the team summitted the peak like all other expeditions from across the world. Keeping our beliefs in mind, all efforts were taken to keep the sanctity and spiritual sensibilities intact and the expedition was conducted with utmost respect," the team said. According to Nepal's Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, from March 1 to April 25 this year, 41 climbers received permits to scale Mt Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest peak, within the climbing season which is usually limited to a period of one-and-a-half months every year. The Government of Nepal collects royalty fees from climbers and issues permits and it is a major economic activity and source of revenue for Nepal. This year, the revenue earned from royalty fees amounted to $73,800 between March 1 to April 25. However, no expeditions to the mountain have taken place from the Indian side over the last two decades in deference to the customs and beliefs of the people of Sikkim who regard climbing of the peak as the desecration of the mountain. The Kanchenjunga, till today, remains the highest in terms of the fatality rate for mountaineers and it is considered more difficult to climb than Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak in the world.
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Indian team scales world's third-highest peak
GUWAHATI A team from the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS) in Arunachal Pradesh's Dirang became the first from India this climbing season to scale Mount Khangchendzonga, the world's third-highest peak. While the feat has been hailed as the first '100% success' in scaling the peak, the Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) found it 'painful', as Mt. Khangchendzonga is revered as the guardian deity of the indigenous communities in the Himalayan State. The '100%' refers to all five members of the team led by NIMAS Director Col. Ranveer Singh Jamwal reaching the summit on May 18. A five-member team from the Army achieved the same feat a day later. 'In a season marked by extreme conditions and high attrition, every climber from the NIMAS team who attempted the summit made it — an extraordinary accomplishment on one of the most formidable mountains in the world,' a statement from a Ministry of Defence spokesperson read. Mt. Khangchendzonga, India's tallest peak at 8,586 metres above sea level, borders Sikkim and Nepal. The NIMAS and the Army teams approached the peak from the Nepal side, as the mountain is considered too sacred in Sikkim to set foot on. 'The expedition marked the culmination of 'Har Shikhar Tiranga', a patriotic mission to hoist the Indian national flag atop the highest peak of each of India's 28 States. The expedition was a tribute to every corner of India, and I am honoured to have led the mission,' he said after reaching the base camp on Thursday (May 22, 2025). Members of the SIBLAC said the climbers did display character in scaling Mt. Khangchendzonga but lamented the 'indifference' of the Ministry of Defence to their plea to call off the expedition. 'The Nepal government has been consistently ignoring our appeals to make the peak out of bounds for climbers because of the sacredness attached to it. We hoped our government would listen to us,' SIBLAC advisor, S.B. Tshering, told The Hindu. Recognised as a sacred site, Mt. Khangchendzonga is protected under the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. The people of Sikkim celebrate Pang Lhabsol, an annual festival, to honour and remember the spiritual significance of the mountain.
India Gazette
22-05-2025
- India Gazette
NIMAS successfully summits Mt Kangchenjunga, concludes 'Har Shikhar Tiranga' mission
New Delhi [India], May 22 (ANI): A team from the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS) has successfully summited Mt Kangchenjunga (8,586 m), the third-highest peak in the world and the highest in India, on May 18. The expedition, led by renowned mountaineer Colonel Ranveer Singh Jamwal, marked the culmination of the landmark 'Har Shikhar Tiranga' campaign -- a patriotic mission to hoist the Indian national flag atop the highest peak of each of India's 28 states, a release said. This mission, conceptualised to celebrate the spirit of unity and national pride through adventure, has now achieved its final milestone with the ascent of Kangchenjunga, the highest point in the state of Sikkim and the campaign's symbolic crown. Notably, the NIMAS team is the only Indian expedition to achieve a 100 per cent summit success rate on Mt Kangchenjunga this season, a testament to the team's rigorous preparation, discipline, and unyielding spirit, the release said. In a season marked by extreme conditions and high attrition, every climber from the NIMAS team who attempted the summit made it -- an extraordinary accomplishment on one of the most formidable mountains in the world. 'This wasn't just an expedition. It was a tribute to every corner of India. From the dense forests of the northeast to the icy ramparts of Kangchenjunga, our Tiranga has now flown atop every state's highest point,' said Col Jamwal. 'I'm proud of the team and honored to lead a mission that reflects the unity and diversity of our great nation.' The success of the 'Har Shikhar Tiranga' mission through the Kangchenjunga ascent underscores NIMAS's growing legacy in adventure leadership and national service. As the Tiranga waved proudly from the summit, it carried with it not just the dreams of climbers, but the spirit of an entire nation. Earlier on March 26, Minister of State (MoS) Defence, Sanjay Seth, had flagged off the expedition to Mount Kangchenjunga, led by Col Jamwal, Director, NIMAS, Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh. The team comprised five highly skilled climbers and three support staff. (ANI)
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
NIMAS summits Mt. Kangchenjunga, concludes historic ‘Har Shikhar Tiranga' mission successfully
In a historic feat for Indian mountaineering , a team from the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports ( NIMAS ) has successfully summited Mt. Kangchenjunga (8,586 m), the third-highest mountain in the world and the highest in India, on 18 May 2025. The expedition, led by renowned mountaineer Colonel Ranveer Singh Jamwal , marked the culmination of the landmark 'Har Shikhar Tiranga' campaign — a patriotic mission to hoist the Indian national flag atop the highest peak of each of India's 28 states. This mission, conceptualized to celebrate the spirit of unity and national pride through adventure, has now achieved its final milestone with the ascent of Kangchenjunga — the highest point in the state of Sikkim and the symbolic crown of the campaign. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tunisia: New Small Electric Car For Seniors. Prices Might Surprise You. Electric Cars | Search Ads Undo Notably, the NIMAS team is the only Indian expedition to achieve a 100% summit success rate on Mt. Kangchenjunga this season, a testament to the team's rigorous preparation, discipline, and unyielding spirit. In a season marked by extreme conditions and high attrition, every climber from the NIMAS team who attempted the summit made it — an extraordinary accomplishment on one of the most formidable mountains in the world. 'This wasn't just an expedition. It was a tribute to every corner of India. From the dense forests of the northeast to the icy ramparts of Kangchenjunga, our Tiranga has now flown atop every state's highest point,' said Col Jamwal. 'I'm proud of the team and honored to lead a mission that reflects the unity and diversity of our great nation.' Live Events The success of the 'Har Shikhar Tiranga' mission through the Kangchenjunga ascent underscores NIMAS's growing legacy in adventure leadership and national service. As the Tiranga waved proudly from the summit, it carried with it not just the dreams of climbers, but the spirit of an entire nation.
United News of India
22-05-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
NIMAS conquers Mt Kangchenjunga, completes ‘Har Shikhar Tiranga' mission
Itanagar, May 22 (UNI) In a landmark achievement for Indian mountaineering, a team from the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh has successfully summited Mt Kangchenjunga (8,586m), the third-highest mountain in the world and the highest in India, on May 18 last, stated a press note on Thursday. The expedition, led by renowned mountaineer Colonel Ranveer Singh Jamwal, marked the triumphant culmination of the 'Har Shikhar Tiranga' campaign, a patriotic mission to hoist the Indian national flag atop the highest peak in each of India's 28 states. Conceptualized to celebrate the spirit of unity and national pride through adventure, the 'Har Shikhar Tiranga' mission has reached its pinnacle with the ascent of Kangchenjunga, the highest point in Sikkim and the symbolic crown of the campaign. Remarkably, the NIMAS team is the only Indian expedition to achieve a 100 percent summit success rate on Mt Kangchenjunga this season — a rare feat given the mountain's extreme conditions and challenging terrain. Every climber who attempted the summit succeeded, reflecting the team's meticulous preparation, exceptional endurance, and indomitable spirit. 'This wasn't just an expedition — it was a tribute to every corner of India,' said Col Jamwal. 'From the dense forests of the Northeast to the icy ramparts of Kangchenjunga, our Tiranga now flies atop the highest point of every Indian state. I'm immensely proud of the team and honoured to lead a mission that embodies the unity and diversity of our great nation.' The success of the 'Har Shikhar Tiranga' mission through the Kangchenjunga ascent underscores NIMAS' growing legacy in adventure leadership and national service. As the Tiranga waved proudly from the summit, it carried with it not just the dreams of climbers, but the spirit of the entire nation. UNI TD BD
