Uttarakhand: In a historic move to promote adventure tourism, the Uttarakhand government announced the opening of 83 major Himalayan peaks for mountaineering expeditions. The newly opened peaks range from 5,700 metres to 7,756 metres and include some of the world’s most renowned summits such as Mount Kamet (7,756 m), Nanda Devi East, Chaukhamba, Trishul, Shivling, Satopanth, Changabang, Panchachuli, and Neelkanth.
Historic Move to Promote Mountaineering
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami described the decision as a historic initiative to showcase Uttarakhand’s adventure tourism potential globally. He said these peaks are celebrated not only for their technical difficulty but also for their breathtaking natural beauty, symbolizing the grandeur of the Himalayas—a core part of the state’s identity, heritage, and strength.
“The government aims to encourage Indian youth to take up mountaineering, generate local employment, and ensure balanced development with a strong focus on environmental conservation,” the Chief Minister added.
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Waiver of Fees to Encourage Young Climbers
To facilitate Indian mountaineers, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) has waived all expedition-related fees for these 83 peaks, including:
- Peak fees
- Camping fees
- Environmental fees
These costs, earlier collected by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) and the Forest Department, will now be borne by the state government. For foreign mountaineers, all additional state-level fees have been abolished; they will only pay the fees prescribed by the IMF.
Digital Permission System for Expeditions
All mountaineering applications will now be processed through the Uttarakhand Mountaineering Permission System (UKMPS)—a fully digital, transparent portal designed to ensure faster approvals for expeditions.
National Push for Adventure Tourism
The announcement aligns with the Union Budget 2026–27, where Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed the development of eco-friendly mountain trails in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir, reinforcing India’s ambition to become a global trekking and adventure tourism hub.
