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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.


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.