In an effort to create awareness about its deteriorating ecology, a mountaineer will go on a solo expedition from Leh in Kashmir to the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh across the Himalayas.

The journey, which will flagged off from Siliguri on August 16 and will be undertaken by Rajiv Kumar Mondal, might take nine months to one year and will cover seven Indian states and two neighbouring countries—Nepal and Bhutan, secretary of the Siliguri-based Himalayan Nature and Adventure Foundation (HNAF) Pradip Nag told PTI.

The HNAF is sponsoring the trekking expedition. The expedition has two objectives, Nag said.

“First, it is about adventure and a daring one. Secondly, we want to document the deteriorating health of the Himalayas, which is so very crucial for our existence.”

“If Rajiv is successful, he will become the first person in the world to travel across the Indian Himalayas all alone,” Nag said, adding that the 32-year-old mountaineer will take photographs throughout his entire journey of about 2,400 km.

“The photographs will be showcased to create awareness about the threat posed by environmental damage,” he said.

Way back in 1970, a Kolkata-based mountaineer Bidyut Sarkar had done similar trekking. The Indian Mountaineering Federation, however, did not recognised the expedition.

In the past, Rajiv has successfully completed other solo expeditions to Muktinath in Nepal and Tapovan, Jamunotri and Mt Shrikanto in Garhwal.