Uttarkashi: As preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stay in Uttarkashi’s Mukhba and Harshil on 27 February are in full swing, the local administration is going to open two new trekking routes. PM Modi will flag off the first expedition, composed of the Nehru Mountaineering Institute (NIM) and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
The Prime Minister will inaugurate these trek routes connecting the village of Jadung to Janaktal and Neelapani to Muling-La, located on the China border in Uttarkashi district. Jadung to Janaktal is an easy trek, while Neelapani to Muling-La is a difficult category trek.
Two new trekking routes in Uttarkashi district
Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi is well known for a plethora of trekking routes apart from tourism and pilgrimage. The Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, an eminent mountaineering institute in the country, is also situated here to promote and support mountaineering and trekking expeditions in the state. Supposedly, Uttarkashi district has more than 60 trek routes. In the last few years, the district administration and tourism department have been preparing to open the Janaktal trek route from Jadung on the China border. A joint team of Gangotri National Park and ITBP has also surveyed it. Last year, Governor Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh (retd), who visited the border area, was also informed about the early opening of this trek.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Uttarkashi proposed on 27 February
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Uttarkashi is proposed for 27 February, and during the winter visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, these two new trek routes will be inaugurated. The Prime Minister will inaugurate these trek routes connecting Jadung to Janaktal and Neelapani to Muling-La, located on the China border in Uttarkashi district. Out of these, Jadung to Janaktal is an easy trek, while Neelapani to Muling-La is a difficult trek.
Administration and tourism department have started preparations
In view of this, the administration and tourism department have also started preparations. Uttarkashi district magistrate (DM) Dr. Meherban Singh Bisht has confirmed that both the trek routes will be inaugurated during the Prime Minister’s visit. In view of the planned inauguration, the administration and the tourism department have been making extensive preparations. Alongside this, efforts are also being made to open another trek route from Neelapani to Muling-La in the border area. District Magistrate Dr. Meherban Singh Bisht mentioned that both trek routes will be inaugurated during the Prime Minister’s visit.
A joint team of NIM and ITBP will embark on the first expedition
After receiving the green flag, a joint team from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) will embark on the first expedition. Following the inauguration, the teams will set off on these trek routes. The NIM team will undertake the Jadung-Janaktal trek, while the ITBP team will take on the Neelapani-Muling La trek.
Jadung-Janaktal trek
Situated at an altitude of about 5,400 meters above sea level, this trek promises an exhilarating experience. The approximately 11 km long trek begins at Jadung, where an ITBP post is located, and reaches Janaktal, a tranquil blue water lake. The opening of this trek is expected to significantly boost tourism and trekking activities in the Nelang Valley.
Neelapani-Muling-La trek
This trek, about 25 km long, starts from Neelapani and leads to Muling-La. The Muling Pass connects Uttarakhand to China. According to the Forest Department, this trek is more challenging compared to the Jadung-Janaktal trek and offers tourists the thrill of exploring the high Himalayan region.
Trekking period
Trekkers may start their journey from mid-May to mid-October. An official from the tourism department has confirmed that both trek routes are situated in high-altitude areas and are covered with snow during the winter months. Therefore, tourists will not be permitted to access these treks from November to April. Trekking will be allowed only from mid-May to mid-October.
