This month, the Uttarakhand state government officially opened 83 major Himalayan peaks for mountaineering expeditions. This initiative, spearheaded by Uttarakhand’s chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, aims to position the state as a premier global hub for adventure tourism while boosting the local economy in remote border regions. The 83 peaks are located across the Garhwal and Kumaon regions, spanning the districts of Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Rudraprayag and Tehri Garhwal. These summits range in altitude from 5,700 metres to 7,756 metres.
Notable peaks included in this list are Mount Kamet (7,756m – the second-highest peak in Uttarakhand), Nanda Devi East (7,434 – one of the most iconic and revered summits), Chaukhamba Group (renowned for its massive four-pillared structure) and other iconic names like Trishul, Shivling, Satopanth, Changabang, Panchachuli and Neelkanth. The government has introduced significant fee waivers to reduce financial barriers.
For Indian mountaineers, all expedition-related fees have been entirely waived. This includes peak permit fees, camping fees, trail management fees and environmental charges. The state government will now bear these costs. For foreign mountaineers, additional state-level fees previously imposed by the Forest Department have been abolished. International climbers are now only required to pay the standard fees prescribed by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation.To eliminate bureaucratic delays, the state has launched the Uttarakhand Mountaineering Permission System (UKMPS). This is a transparent, fully digital, single-window online portal. All applications for expeditions must be submitted through this system for faster processing and approvals. Despite the increased accessibility, the government has emphasised a Conservation Through Regulation approach. Expeditions must strictly adhere to waste management rules to protect the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. Strict adherence to international safety and routing standards is required for all climbing teams.
This move aligns with the Union Budget 2026–27, which recently announced the development of eco-friendly mountain trails across Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. The primary goals are to generate local employment as guides and porters, strengthen the rural economy and curb migration from border villages.