5. Uttarakhand Opens 83 Himalayan Peaks: A Strategic Push for Adventure Tourism

In a landmark decision to position the state as a global mountaineering hub, the Uttarakhand government has opened 83 high-altitude Himalayan peaks for expeditions, while simultaneously removing financial hurdles for domestic climbers. Key Highlights of the Initiative • Expanded Access: The government has opened 83 peaks across the Garhwal and Kumaon regions, ranging in altitude from 5,700m to 7,756m. Notable summits include Mount Kamet (7,756m), Nanda Devi East, Trishul, Chaukhamba, and Shivling. • Fiscal Incentives for Indians: In a major boost for domestic climbers, the state has waived all expedition-related charges, including peak fees, camping fees, and environmental fees. These costs, previously collected by the IMF and Forest Department, will now be absorbed by the state. • Streamlined Digital Governance: All expedition applications will now be processed via the Uttarakhand Mountaineering Permission System (UKMPS), a single-window digital portal designed to ensure transparency and eliminate procedural bottlenecks. • Foreign Climber Policy: For international expeditions, state-level additional fees have been abolished. Foreign mountaineers are now required to pay only the standard fees prescribed by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF). • Socio-Economic Goals: The initiative aims to curb migration by generating local employment for guides, porters, and homestay operators in remote border villages, integrating these regions into the mainstream tourism economy. • Eco-Conservation Focus: While promoting adventure, the government has mandated strict adherence to the \'Leave No Trace\' principle and environmental safety protocols to protect the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. Key Definitions • Nanda Devi East (Sunanda Devi): The lower of the two peaks of the Nanda Devi massif (7,434m). While Nanda Devi Main (7,816m) remains restricted due to its UNESCO World Heritage status and religious sanctity, the East peak is open for regulated climbing. • Peak Fee: A statutory charge levied by government or mountaineering bodies for the right to climb specific high-altitude summits. • Narco-Tourism vs. Eco-Tourism: While the state battles drug issues (as seen in separate campaigns), this policy focuses on Eco-Tourism—responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people. Constitutional and Legal Provisions • Article 48A: Directs the State to endeavor to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country. • Seventh Schedule (State List, Entry 24): Fisheries, but more broadly, the state utilizes its powers over \'Land\' and \'Economic and Social Planning\' (Concurrent List) to regulate mountain tourism.• National Forest Policy, 1988: Provides the framework for maintaining environmental stability through the preservation and restoration of ecological balance, which guides the \'Leave No Trace\' mandate. UPSC Relevance • GS Paper I: Geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features and their effects. • GS Paper III: Economics (Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. - Tourism is a key service infrastructure); Environment (Conservation, environmental pollution, and degradation). • Prelims Focus: Locations of major peaks (Kamet, Trishul, Panchachuli), the role of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), and state-specific portals like UKMPS. Conclusion The opening of 83 peaks marks a strategic transition from \'restricted conservation\' to \'sustainable utilization\' of Uttarakhand’s mountain assets. By waiving fees for Indian nationals, the state is democratizing adventure sports, fostering a new generation of mountaineers while strengthening the \'Vibrant Villages\' initiative along the international borders. Success will hinge on balancing the surge in human footfall with the extreme ecological sensitivity of the high Himalayas.