TIL Desk/National/New Delhi/ About 35 years after it was closed down for civilians, Siachen Glacier, the world”s highest battlefield, was on Monday declared open for tourists by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in a major decision ahead of the creation of the Union Territory of Ladakh where the region is located. Siachen, the icy heights in the Karakoram mountain range, used to be an unmilitarised zone before 1984 and mountaineering expeditions would be allowed by India.
However, Pakistan, in early 1980s, also started sending expeditions there, triggering alarm in India that it could be a ploy to capture the strategically important region. Wary of Pakistani misadventure, India rushed its troops in 1984 under ”Operation Meghdoot” and has ever since maintained strategic control of the glacier. Subsequently, the area was prohibited for civilians.
“The
Siachen area is now open for tourists and tourism. From Siachen Base Camp to
Kumar Post, the entire area has been opened for tourism purposes,” Rajnath
Singh said on Monday while inaugurating a bridge in Ladakh. “Ladakh has
tremendous potential in tourism. Better connectivity in Ladakh would certainly
bring tourists in large numbers,” he added.
