(a) whether the Government has decided to open a large number of mountains/peaks for foreign nationals for trekking and mountaineering;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to firm up adventure tourism efforts and arrange trained professionals for the purpose in order to avoid accidents?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)
(a): Ministry of Home Affairs, on 13.08.2019 opened 137 Peaks located in the 4 states viz. Uttarakhand (51 Peaks), Sikkim (10 Peaks), Jammu & Kashmir (15 Peaks), & Himachal Pradesh (47 Peaks) to foreigners desirous of obtaining Mountaineering Visa (‘MX) for climbing / trekking subject to necessary clearances by appropriate authorities for issue of Inner Line Permits / Protected Area Permits /Restricted Area Permits, as the case may be & clearance by security agencies.
Thereafter on 04.09.2019, the Ministry of Home Affairs deleted 14 Peaks located in the State of Sikkim from the above list of total 137 peaks.
(b): The details of State-wise list of Mountaineering and Trekking Peaks in Indian Himalaya is Annexed.
(c): Ministry of Tourism has recognized ‘Adventure Tourism’ as a ‘Niche Tourism’ product to promote India as a 365 days’ destination and attract tourists with specific interest. A Task Force on Adventure Tourism has been set up in October 2016 to act as a forum for resolving issues related to development and promotion of Adventure Tourism in the country. The year 2018 was declared and promoted as the ‘Year of Indian Adventure’. MoT under its voluntary scheme grants Approval to bonafide Adventure Tour Operators as per Guidelines. Adventure Tourism is regularly highlighted for promotion as part of the Incredible India Campaign in the print, electronic, online and outdoor media in India and abroad as well as at the various tourism exhibitions.
Ministry of Tourism along with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) has launched the “Indian Adventure Tourism Guidelines (Version 2.0) – 2018” on ''Safety and Quality Norms for Adventure Tourism in India''. The guidelines list the basic minimum standards for adventure tourism and cover 31 land, air and water-based activities. All the State Governments / UT Administrations have been advised to adopt and implement these Guidelines.
Indian Institute of Skiing & Mountaineering (IISM) at Gulmarg, under Ministry of Tourism offers regular short term courses for youths to get training in Snow Skiing, Trekking, Parasailing, Water skiing etc. The IISM has also taken initiative to expand its activities in the Jammu & Ladakh region.
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