New Govt Regulation: Restricted Permits at Gangotri National Park

I have been informed that going foward shortly there is a rule being implemented by the Trekking authorities, that all treks to north india have to be registered with Garhwal and Kumaon authorities at Uttarkashi and at Himachal. This has risen due to some casualties and massacre of trekkers losing lives in the Kalindi Khal trek during Sept - Oct 07.

Trekkers will have to give complete details of the group identity and pay a lumpsum refundable deposit. I have known that for identified peaks, passes and glaciers it is 15-20K per group.

Also porters and guides have to be registered from these authorities who shall be permitted to lead any groups and expedition activity. They will be given ID cards and their identity shall also be checked.

This was informed to me by the army guys from uttarkashi during my recent trek to Har ki Doon. If anyone has any such information on this subject please extend your share also, as this will increase the depth of security one needs to be aware of himself and the group while going for treks.

I guess none of us can afford an SOS or rescue from the indian army / air force approx costing 8 lakhs and above.

terrible news!!! where from u got these info?? was that a reliable source?? It is fine if these rules are applicable to summit expeditions. If it is for all kind of treks, I personally think it will be very problematic to all trekkers and also will raise the amount of trespass trekking. coz. it is not possible for all trekkers to follow all these rules like registering their and porter-guide name, depositing 15-20k etc. these steps were taken when it came to life casualties, but where are the authorities when it was a matter of nature imbalance??

Supratim, I had been to Har ki Doon and met some army ppl from the disaster rescue team who were providing relief to villagers of Osla. The same team was involved to rescue the trekkers at Kalindi Khal sunnit who scummed to casualties. The uttarkashi trek authorities at Garhwal and Kumaon have made mandatory to have all treks registered. Trek operators have to be registered and all porter / guides have to be registered with the Garhwal and Kumaon regions which the trek operators have to bear their costs.

I dont recall the committe but I guess some news from Shasan..... at uttarkashi

Im only asking if anyone has further info on this subject.

If this is true, it will effectively kill off trekking in the state, something it cannot afford. Not many people (that's an understatement) can put up the deposit. And in what circs wud someone be in default? If someone loses say Rs. 10000 for an infraction, I don't think he/she will want to risk going on another trek ever.

I have checked the govt and Tourism dept. websites of the state and found no mention of this subject.

This sentence doesn't make sense, amit.
But it does lead me to believe that it's the Uttarkashi district admin (based at Uttarkashi, of course) that might have come up with the rule, if at all. But I found nothing at their website either. Even so, I wud hazard that maybe they are thinking of high-altitude treks.

A search did bring up the foll from the Tribune:
Ensure trekkers ‘take permission’ for expeditions

This talks of stricter enforcement of ILP regulations, which is a different thing. Makes sense too, since in the concerned case those Russians claim they didn't know of the requirements.

I was not aware of any accident on Kalindikhal in Sept - Oct 07. Googling does not reveal much either. Would someone have some information on the same? I can recall some trekkers being trapped somewhere near Pindari glacier, and some deaths on a mountaineering expedition to Nanda Devi East, in Sep-Oct 2007

If I go trekking, I am least likely to inform local authorities about that. I also choose vague routes where one does not find anyone except migrant shepherds. As a citizen I can roam anywhere in my Country legally except in the restricted areas. I have to go visit the SDM only if I am applying for an Inner Line Permit.

How will someone come to know that I am a trekker? I could be just like any other tourist on the bus. How will the authorities catch me to charge me for trekking??

They might put up some guards on popular routes like Pindari, Milam, etc. to levy tax or whatever. How will they monitor the vastnesses in the "rest of the mountains"??

Its not possible to implement such a scheme. Too far fetched. The departmental salaries [cost] will be far more than the possible revenue [income] earned.

Take a look here for some links, ronsaik.
In another thread, the death of 2 mountaineers from Darjeeling in the Pindari region was mentioned. They were on their way to ascending Chhanguch.
References to the Nanda Devi expedition mishaps will also be found under the above google links.

Can someone pleeeez let me know the process and documents that are required to get an inner line permit. It would really help me as I am planning to trek towards Kalindi /Arwa tal etc where it is mentioned that people need an inner line permit. I am sure you guys would have done it ample times, kindly let me know how I will be able to get this and which place. Thanks a lot.

U will need permission from both the district authorities of Uttarkashi and Chamoli. The former u can get at Uttarkashi, the latter at Joshimath or Gopeshwar.
Just do a search in this sub-forum for application details - u'll find them aplenty.

I see that chits007 had posted something about registration/deposit in another thread earlier, from an unsubstantiated orkut msg:
http://www.indiamike.com/india/400624-post60/

The Mumbai edition of The Times of India has carried a report that the Uttarakhand Govt. has decided to restrict the number of tourists visiting Gomukh and other Gongotri glaciers to only 150 per day. The new regulation will come into effect from the next season beginning April.

Check out at http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily...=1206953995015

Sadanand

P.S. The report appears on page 12 under 'Times Nation'.

The Govt. personnels should have now think about giving preferrence towards the visitors - pilgrim (70% are polluters) or trekkers (most are nature lovers). It seems they are more interested to give preferrence to the pilgrims and earn more money.

The restictions on tourists apply only for visits to Gomukh and other glaciers in Gongotri regions where very few pilgrims visit these places. The restrictions may affect the trekkers planning to trek Gomukh-Tapovan-Nandanvan-Kalindikhal in future.

Sadanand

I also agree with Supratim.

We are going on 26th this month on this rout. It cost too for 8 days, for Tapovan-Nandanvan-Vasuki taal.