For the first time since India occupied vantage points along its icy heights in 1984, the strategic Siachen glacier has been thrown open to the public. Carefully vetted trekking expeditions will now be allowed on the 72 km long glacier to promote tourism in the region.

As a first step, over 20 people — mostly NCC cadets, students from the Dehradun based Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) and IMA gentlemen cadets — will embark on an expedition to the 16,000 feet high Kumar Post next week.

The Army, which has organised the expedition through its adventure wing, hopes to make such tours to the glacier a regular event from next year, depending on the “response and success of the trek”. Sources confirmed that limited expeditions to the glacier will be organised on a regular basis from next year and even foreigners will be permitted.

“The glacier can become a major tourist attraction. Since the ceasefire agreement with Pakistan, things have been safer and it is possible to hold such activities,” said a senior Army officer.

The first batch of trekkers, scheduled to set out from Leh on September 19, will be provided basic training at the Siachen base camp by the Army. Ten ‘glacial craft experts’ will guide the expedition.

“The Army will provide boarding, lodging, medical cover and all logistic support for the expedition. Special glacier equipment will be given to trekkers,” the officer said.

While mountaineering expeditions are allowed on the Pakistani side, the Army seems to have taken a cue from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s suggestion of turning the glacier into a “peace mountain”.

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