- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Tue, 03 Feb 2026 12:22 PM (IST)
- Source:Jagran News Network
In a historic step for adventure tourism, Devbhoomi Uttarakhand has made a major decision to take mountaineering to new heights. On the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB), in coordination with the Forest Department, has fully opened 83 major mountain peaks in the Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayan regions for mountaineering expeditions.
The decision will establish Uttarakhand as a strong and attractive destination on the global mountaineering map. The open peaks range in height from 5,700 metres to 7,756 metres, and include world-renowned and challenging peaks such as Kamet (7,756 metres), Nanda Devi East, the Chaukhamba group, the Trishul group, Shivling, Satopanth, Changabang, Panchchuli, and Neelkanth.
These summits are not only famous for their technical difficulty and natural beauty but are also considered living symbols of the grandeur of the Himalayas. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the Himalayas are our identity, our heritage, and our strength. Opening 83 major mountain peaks for mountaineering is a historic step towards giving the state's adventure tourism global recognition.
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Our objective is for the country's youth to come forward in adventurous fields like mountaineering, for local people to get employment, and to ensure balanced development alongside environmental conservation. The state government is fully committed to safe, responsible, and sustainable mountaineering.
The main objective of this initiative is to encourage Indian youth to take up mountaineering, promote adventure tourism, and strengthen the local economy of border and remote areas. Indian mountaineers will no longer have to pay any expedition fees (peak fees, camping fees, environmental fees, etc.) for the notified 83 peaks.
Previously, these fees were collected by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) and the Forest Department, but now the state government will bear the cost itself. This will provide a great opportunity for young people who were previously held back by financial constraints.
The additional state-level fees previously imposed on foreign mountaineers have been completely abolished. Now, they will only have to pay the fees set by the IMF. This will increase Uttarakhand's appeal at an international level and lead to a rise in the number of foreign expeditions.
Applications for all mountaineering expeditions will now be made through the online portal of the Uttarakhand Mountaineering Permission System (UKMPS). This system is transparent, fast, and fully digital, which will prevent delays in the approval process. This decision will increase tourism activities in border villages.
Residents will get new employment opportunities through services such as guides, porters, homestays, and transport. This initiative will also prove helpful in preventing migration and strengthening the rural economy.
The state government has clarified that strict adherence to safety standards and environmental regulations will be mandatory for all expeditions. Mountaineers will have to adopt the “Leave No Trace” principle and ensure the protection of the Himalayas' fragile ecosystem.
The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board has welcomed all mountaineers from the country and abroad to these magnificent Himalayan peaks, stating that this initiative will prove to be a milestone in taking the adventurous heritage of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand to new heights.
It is noteworthy that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in the Union Budget 2026-27, presented in Parliament, made a significant announcement that will give a new impetus to tourism in the hill states.
The budget announced the development of eco-friendly mountain trails in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir. This step is a major effort towards making India a world-class trekking and hiking destination, which will promote adventure tourism and create employment at the local level.