New Delhi (NVI): Mountaineers from China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will now have to take prior permission for climbing peaks which are opened in India, according to a government order.
According to a Home Ministry gazette notification dated December 19, these mountaineers will have to follow the routes prescribed by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation.
Amending the Foreigners Order, 1948, the Home Ministry said, “Prior permission of the Central Government shall be required by nationals of China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan or persons having their origin in the said countries even for climbing peaks which are so opened under specific orders issued by the Central Government”.
The Home Ministry order further said, “The Indian Mountaineering Foundation shall specify routes, attach liaison officer and impose such restrictions as it may deem necessary in respect of peaks which are so opened under specific orders issued by the Central Government”.
The order also said that no foreigner or group of foreigners shall climb or attempt to climb any mountain peak in India, except those peaks which are opened for mountaineering or trekking expeditions under specific orders issued by the Central Government from time to time with routes.
