Trekking banned above 3,000 m in Himachal’s Kangra district; Triund, Kareri routes need police clearance

All trekking above 3000 m has been restricted by the Kangra district administration in Himachal due to weather changes and tough treks. The district authorities announced the ban on trekking activities on Tuesday, as PTI reported.Deputy Commissioner of Kangra district Hemraj Bairwa issued these orders and said this order has been released by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) ensuring safety from tourists. The embargo extends to all treks on the tracks higher than 3,000 m in the district.Aside from the sweeping ban in high-altitude areas, the administration has also rolled out tougher regulations for popular trekking routes across the country.

Now adventure lovers who plan to trek to Triund, Kareri and Adi Himani Chamunda are required to take permission from the office of the Superintendent of Police, Kangra. These routes will not be accessible without official permission to trek on them.

Officials also made it clear that the administration continually reviews trekking guidelines taking into consideration the conditions of the region. Orders are issued on trekking from time to time in view of the safety of tourists, the Deputy Commissioner said, noting that unpredictable weather and challenging mountainous terrain carry serious risk, especially during winter and inclement conditions.

Read more: Shimla is packed — here are 5 hill destinations Indians are choosing insteadThe government has further reiterated that all the permissions given for trekking routes will automatically get cancelled on receipt of a weather warning/alert by the Meteorological Office at Shimla. The move is intended to stop trekkers from going out in heavy snowfall, rain, or other dangerous weather conditions and getting stuck.But the ban does not affect the organizations pertaining to control of natural calamities or the rescue teams.

However, teams of the NDRF, SDRF and the police search and rescue parties as well as the Mountaineering Centre at McLeodganj have been exempted from the ban for they play an important role at a time of natural calamity.Read more: Which city in India is known as the White City?In order to make sure tourists travelling in the district are apprised of the measure, the Deputy Commissioner has instructed all stakeholders related to tourism in Kangra district be briefed by the District Tourism Officer.

The hoteliers, homestay owners, tour guides and travel agents have been requested to inform the visitors in unambiguous terms about the ban on trekking and the necessity of seeking permission before they plan or start any outdoor activities.The shift follows a rescue mission in the area on Tuesday. The development comes a week after four Delhi trekkers were safely rescued after they went missing while trekking to Triund around the Dhauladhar Range in Dharamshala. The incident served as a grim reminder of the dangers faced while trekking without proper preparation and clearances, particularly in harsh weather.As Kangra is a popular destination for trekking and adventure tourism, the administration has advised tourists to follow advisories strictly and safety precautions while planning their journeys.