Arunachal’s romance with mountaineering in particular Mount Everest seems to be on a roll. For the past few years, men and women of the state have been staking claim to the world’s highest peak.

On May 14 another Arunachalee woman, Muri Linggi, 40, scaled Mt Everest. She has now become the third woman after Tine Mena and Anshu Jamsenpa to have accomplished the feat. Muri aptly showed off a placard ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ from ground zero and as a woman and mother of four daughters, her action sends across a powerful message of gender parity.

An honorary mention must be made of Tapi Mra, who is the first Arunachalee ever to conquer Mt Everest.

In the recent past, sportspersons of the state have made their mark in various disciplines and mountaineering has also become one of its strong domains. The National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (NIMAS) in Dirang has also been part of the dream with many of the successful Everesters completing their basic course of mountaineering from this institute.

Scaling mountain peaks is not only about the adrenaline rush but is also about serious business. Nepal for instance owes major part of its tourism revenue to Mount Everest, which receives more than $3.5 million from Everest climbing permits annually. Cashing in on the trade, Nepal recently opened 104 peaks which were earlier off limits.

Over the years, the list of unconquered mountain peaks has steadily dwindled as all of the big firsts were gradually crossed off. However, since mountaineering became a popular sport in the 1850s, unclimbed mountains or unclimbed routes have remained the aspiration of all serious mountaineers. This is where the vast expanse of the Arunachal Himalaya’s is a treasure trove for climbers.

Unfortunately, the lack of a mountain policy has hindered revenue generation by facilitating adventure tourism which is a booming business, the world over. Being of strategic importance, till date, permission to carryout expedition in the state is routed through the Home Ministry which deters many mountaineering enthusiasts keen on climbing Arunachal’s pristine mountain peaks.

There is a need for the state machinery to address this issue with the Centre and workout a mechanism which will suit both parties. Being a revenue-strapped state, Arunachal has limited options to explore ways of becoming self-reliant. With peaks like Gorichen in Tawang district which is one of the technically difficult peaks in the world and the virgin Mount Kangto at 7042 metres, the state must utilise its natural bounty.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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