The tourism agency in the Himalayan state has decided to waive the fees that Indian mountaineers demand. The Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) and the forest department received the payment previously collected from them.
Every year, hundreds of adventure sports enthusiasts from the nation and outside travel to Uttarakhand to attempt to climb some of the most well-known and challenging peaks, including Nanda Devi, Panchachuli III, Trishul III, Mukut Parbat, Bhagirathi III, and Gangotri Ill. Many people also favor Satopanth, Shivling, Srikantha, Vasuki Parbat, Kamet, Hathi Parbat, Dunagiri, and Chaukambha IV (routes 1 and 11).
The IMF fee will now be paid by the tourism department, and the forest department has agreed to forego its portion of the amount. Recently, a formal order in this regard was made public.
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Indian mountaineers must pay Rs 3,000 whereas international climbers must spend Rs 20,000 to ascend a peak up to 6,500 meters. For summits between 6,500 and 7,000 meters, Indian climbers must pay Rs 4,000, while foreign climbers must pay Rs 25,000. For climbers from India, the cost is Rs 6,000, while climbers from abroad must pay Rs 40,000.
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The cost structure for foreign visitors traveling to Uttarakhand for mountaineering has stayed the same.
Indian mountaineers would still need to submit an application and obtain the necessary approval from the tourism department notwithstanding the fee reductions. The state forest agency had previously granted authorization, but the tourism department has taken over that duty in recent years.
Col. Ashwini Pundhir, a second chief executive for adventure sports, said TOI. “This was a crucial step in boosting the adventure sports industry, and we are optimistic that more sports fans will visit Uttarakhand.
