Adventure lovers and mountaineering enthusiasts have reason to cheer as the Uttarakhand government is considering reopening the Nanda Devi peak, India’s second-highest mountain, for mountaineering and eco-tourism activities. The peak, located in Chamoli district at an elevation of 7,817 metres above sea level, has been off-limits for such activities since 1983.
The ban, imposed 42 years ago, was due to the mountain’s fragile ecology and deep religious significance. Nanda Devi is closely associated with the revered Nanda Raj Jat Yatra and lies between the Goriganga and Rishiganga valleys, an area known for its complex terrain and ecological sensitivity. Only a handful of expeditions were permitted before the restrictions were put in place.
With the state government actively promoting eco-tourism as a sustainable development strategy, fresh efforts are underway to reassess the potential for allowing controlled adventure and tourism activities on Nanda Devi.
As part of this initiative, the Eco-Tourism Development Corporation — operating under the Forest Department — has been directed to conduct a comprehensive study based on the last 10 years of environmental and tourism data related to the peak. This study will examine how high up the mountain trekking and mountaineering could be allowed without harming its ecosystem, and which zones might be appropriate for other eco-tourism initiatives.
Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, during a recent review meeting of the Eco-Tourism Development Corporation, instructed officials to explore all viable options for responsibly opening the region to tourists. Following the study, a detailed proposal will be submitted to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for final approval.
Forest Secretary C. Ravishankar confirmed that further action will depend on the corporation’s findings. “Once the report is received and evaluated, efforts will begin to officially reopen Nanda Devi for mountaineering or eco-tourism,” he said.
If approved, this move will mark a historic shift in India’s eco-tourism strategy and provide an unparalleled opportunity for trekkers and climbers to explore one of the Himalayas’ most majestic and culturally significant peaks — all while ensuring ecological balance is maintained.
