Dehradun: Devbhoomi Uttarakhand has taken a historic decision to take adventure tourism 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 opened 83 major mountain peaks in the Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayan regions for mountaineering expeditions. This decision will establish Uttarakhand as a prominent and attractive destination on the global mountaineering map.
The opened peaks range in height from 5700 meters to 7756 meters. These include world-renowned and challenging peaks such as Kamet, Nanda Devi East, Chaukhamba group, Trishul group, Shivling, Satopanth, Changabang, Panchchuli, and Neelkanth. These peaks are known for their technical difficulty as well as their breathtaking natural beauty.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the Himalayas are our identity, heritage, and strength. Opening 83 major mountain peaks for mountaineering is a historic step towards giving global recognition to adventure tourism. Our objective is to inspire young people to take up mountaineering, increase local employment, and ensure balanced development along with environmental protection. He said that the state government is fully committed to safe, responsible, and sustainable mountaineering.
Indian mountaineers will now not have to pay any expedition fees such as peak fees, camping fees, or environmental fees for the 83 notified peaks. Earlier, these fees were collected by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) and the Forest Department, but now the state government will bear these costs. This will provide a great opportunity for young people who were previously held back due to financial constraints.
The state-level additional fee previously levied on foreign mountaineers has been abolished. Now they will only have to pay the fees prescribed by the IMF. This will increase Uttarakhand’s attractiveness internationally and lead to an increase 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 process will be completely digital, transparent, and time-bound, ensuring that there are no delays in obtaining permits.
This decision will boost tourism activities in border and remote villages. Local people will get new employment opportunities through guides, porters, homestays, transportation, and other services. This will help prevent migration and strengthen the rural economy.
The state government has clarified that strict adherence to safety standards and environmental regulations will be mandatory for all mountaineering expeditions. Mountaineers will have to adopt the “Leave No Trace” principle to protect the fragile ecosystem of the Himalayas.
Notably, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 the development of eco-friendly mountain trails in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir. This initiative is considered a major step towards making India a world-class trekking and hiking destination.
The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Council has welcomed mountaineers from India and abroad to these magnificent Himalayan peaks, calling it a decision that will take the adventurous heritage of Devbhoomi (Uttarakhand) to new heights.
