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Posted on 09/14/2007 8:36:23 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
India opens up strategic glacier in Himalayas to tourists
NEW DELHI, September 14 (RIA Novosti) - India has opened up a strategic glacier in the Himalayas to tourists, the Defense Ministry said.
At 5,000 to 7,000 meters above sea level, the Siachen glacier is the highest battlefield in the world. It has been contested by India and Pakistan since 1984, when the Indian Army occupied it.
The ministry said the glacier was being opened up because a recent thaw in Indian-Pakistani relations had made it possible, and because the area represented "an ideal venue for tourism."
The glacier, which is in the disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir, will be visited by three expeditions in September and October, and will include hikers from India and France, an Indian Army spokesman said.
Those wishing to arrange a visit will need to contact the Indian Army, the Defense Ministry, which was behind the initiative, said.
Pakistan, which considers the glacier its territory, has made repeated attempts to wrest it from Indian control, but has been repulsed each time.
The last armed confrontation took place in 1999, and a ceasefire has been in place between New Delhi and Islamabad since 2003.
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Oh great, Now there will be naked people all over it................
I thought the glaciers were all gone?
See Alaska Glaciers. Spend your money in the US.
Sorry, but NOTHING in the US comes even close to the magnificence of the Himalayas.....coming from a four-timer.
But it is growing or shrinking?
Re: Those wishing to arrange a visit will need to contact the Indian Army, the Defense Ministry, which was behind the initiative, said.
Not sure that my first choice for a vacation would need Army approval.
I would love to visit Ladakh however. But that would be at least a 5 week trip. And sadly, time is hard to come by.
“magnificence of the Himalayas”
Yeah, I hear it’s grand.
Many tourists probably would love to catch a glimpse of the world’s highest battlefield.Siachen is alone in that category.
I have only been as high as Gokyo Ri at 5380 meters, but the views were the most amazing I have ever seen in my life. Hope to do a 6000 meter peak someday, but that is where I will most likely stop.
Kashmir is one of the most beautiful places on the planet and could do wonders vis a vis tourism for India and Pakistan if a peace could be worked out. Nepal has had an ongoing civil war since 1996 in which more than 12,000 people have been killed, and yet it impacted tourism minimally, with no tourists hurt.
Indian Army operations in Siachen-gallery
http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/Galleries/main.php?g2_itemId=1272
I guess that's one way to get the minefields cleared.
I read somewhere ahile back that at any time there are 30 or so conflicts in the world, and most of them take place in mountainous terrain, because it can be defended and is difficult to attack.
Not sure of the 30 number, but from what I see and hear, this is an accurate statement.
If it grows, you'll never hear about it!
Was AlGore involved?
The highest I've ever been (on the ground) is 3132 meters when my dad and I went through Cameron Pass, Colorado last fall.
IF peace needs to work ,the very nature of Pakistan’s existence has to change.The Pakistani army needs to be thrown out of decision making .India will never surrender an inch of her territory because Kashmir is central to her identity as a secular,multipluralistic nation.
Then there is the not so small issue of the 3rd player in all this-China occupies about a sizable chunk of territory called the Aksai Chin bordering Ladakh,much of it gifted by the Pakistanis in 1963 as a sign of gratitude.
Alaska glaciers? There are no Alaska glaciers! /Baghdad Bob
I really hope this works out for India...but fear it’ll just give the Pakis targets that are tailor made for successful media blitz.
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