Ecological Tourism as Confidence Building Measure at Siachen Glacier

Siachen, ‘the place of wild roses’, with an abundance of Himalayan wild flowers in the valleys below the glacier, has been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons for more than a generation now. Since the rose represents peace and friendship, in the wake of rounds of failed negotiations between India and Pakistan, it looks realistic to open the region for nature lovers, trekkers and mountaineers by declaring the region a peace park.

India and Pakistan maintain a permanent military presence on the glacier at a height of over 7,000 metres. Prior to 1984 both countries had reiterated the region was not fit for human habitation and thus it remained deserted. Presently India holds two-thirds of this 78 km long and 3 km wide glacier and commands two (Sia La and Bilfond La) of the three passes including the highest motorable pass – Khardungla. Pakistan controls Gyong La pass that overlooks the Shyok and Nubra river valley and India’s access to Leh district.

The planned mountaineering base at Siachen to promote adventure activities has already taken off. India plans to open several peaks to climbers as part of a national “adventure park” project to attract tourists. Sports which can be the major tourist attraction in region are mountaineering, trekking, skiing, ice skating, and rock climbing. Prospects of other adventure sports such as para-gliding is required to be explored. July to September, when snow melts, can be the best tourist season.

In Oct 2007 the first civilian trekking expedition proceeded to the 16,000 feet high Kumar Post on the glacier organised by the Army Adventure Wing. However, the Army is yet to streamline procedures and policy on allowing civilian expeditions to the region. A decision is yet to be taken to regularise such expeditions. Adventure sports institutes such as Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi, Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute at Darjeeling, Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering at Tringla Batote, Jammu & Kashmir, among others need to be roped in and add to the efforts of the Army in this direction. . The combined efforts of the Army and civilian adventure sports bodies are vital to set the required infrastructure.

The first civilian trek to the glacier had run into a controversy as Pakistan lodged a protest against ‘adventure tourism’ in the area as “uncongenial to peace talks between the two countries”. However, India reiterated the trek as a ‘routine expedition’ in the region. The Army, which mooted the idea of civilian expeditions to the region, has made it clear that adventure tourism activities on the glacier would be made a regular feature.

There can be a number of reasons behind Pakistan’s fear. Firstly, the trek may add weight to India’s claims that it occupies more strategic posts there than Pakistan. Secondly, it may dilute Pakistan’s position on Jammu & Kashmir by projecting India as reasonably responsible and peace-loving country. Thirdly, this can put a check on Pakistan’s misadventure in the region for occupying heights and peaks. As a response, Pakistan has blocked Indian access to K-2 and other surrounding peaks.

India set off its second civilian trekking expedition to the Siachen glacier from Leh on 1 October 2008. About 30 civilians comprising school children, DRDO scientists, mountaineering enthusiasts and media persons took part in the 21 day trek to the highest battlefield in the world. Organised by the Army Mountaineering Institute, it involved a 40 km climb up the glacier where participants crossed heights of over 18,000 feet. So far only Indian citizens have taken part in adventure activities on the glacier‘ though there is a plan to invite foreign citizens in the near future. By inviting foreigners to the region, India can give gain greater acceptance of its planned peace park project.

The glacier and its surrounding region, quite rich in biodiversity is the abode of leopards, brown bears, Tibetan gazelle and ibex; however these species are now under severe threat from the military presence in the area. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) lists nearly half the regions mammalian diversity as threatened.

In June 2003, the World Conservation Union and the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) issued a statement that India and Pakistan should establish a Siachen Peace Park not only to protect and restore the landscapes but also as part of confidence-building measures between the two countries. The WWF, the Himalayan Environmental Trust, and the Himalayan Club  have urged the Indian and Pakistani governments to reduce the military presence in the region and set up the peace park.

Turning the entire area into a Peace Park would enable both armies to withdraw without raising any objections in their respective countries and can save thousands of lives and billions of rupees while preserving the magnificent mountain area.

UNESCO has a plan to convert this region into a World Heritage Site, since it was once part of the ancient Silk Route. However it needs  reduction of armed forces and simultaneous conversion of the region into an ecological tourism site. Fortunately it has been quite peaceful on the world’s highest battlefield for the last few years and the proposed adventure park may yet change the course of history.

(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the views either of the Editorial Committee or the Centre for Land Warfare Studies).