Indian army to promote Siachen as tourist spot

Siachen glacier, which had become the world’s highest battleground, will be now be converted into a tourist spot and thrown open to the tourists and general public.

This was disclosed by Chief of Indian Army Staff General J J Singh during his visit to Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre at Belgaum in Karnataka. The icy heights of Siachen glacier, situated in the Himalayan mountain ranges along the Indo-Pak border, will be thrown open to the public to promote of adventure tourism in the region.

“Tourists, especially trekkers will enjoy the snow covered Siachen and its natural beauty. Let the world see it as a part of our country’s heritage and beauty”, Singh said.

The Indian Army, which controls the 72-km Siachen glacier, has set up an information camp at the base to provide details on various sight-seeing spots, trekking routes and adventure spots for the benefit of visitors.

A group of 20, including eight to nine civilians and cadets from NCC, Rashtriya Indian Military College and Indian Military Academy, will be part of the first trekking trip to Siachen, beginning September 19. "The group will acclimatise and train at Leh for 10 days before they are sent to the Siachen base camp for further training. Thereafter, they will trek, through heights varying between 14,000-feet and 16,000-feet, to reach the forward Kumar Post," said an officer.

Army sources said the ceasefire between India and Pakistan has made it possible for the Indian Army to initiate steps to convert Siachen into a tourist spot. However, the trekking expeditions will be carefully vetted and allowed only on a limited scale.