Ace mountaineer Anshu Jamsenpa made Arunachal proud when she became the first woman in the country to summit Mt. Everest four times. Her grit and determination has made her today a huge role model and a north east icon even more so a symbol of women power. Not one to be fazed by negative comments, Anshu credits her detractors for solidifying her resolve to achieve what many thought impossible for a woman especially a mother of two.

 

The field of sports has seen a sudden revival after the commendable performance by sportspersons belonging to the north eastern region in various tournament and games. While boxing, badminton are some of the avenues generating great interest mountaineering has been a formidable area where sportsperson from the region have excelled in the past. States such as Sikkim , Mizoram, Nagaland have had heroes in this field. Arunachal is also home to proud everesters the likes of— Tapi Mra, Tine Mena and several others.

 

 

After Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s historic 1953 ascent of Mount Everest, scores have laid claim to have tamed the world’s tallest peak.  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.

 

 

But unfortunately, the lack of a mountain policy has hindered revenue generation and which could facilitate 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-sufficient. Adventure tourism particularly Mountaineering is an expensive sport and involves a huge amount of money. With peaks like Gorichen in Tawang district which is one of the technically difficult peaks of the world and the virgin Mount Kangto at 7042 metres, the state can earn handsome revenue.

 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.

 

 

State Mountaineering Policy is the need of the hour and if this sees the light of day, it can be a game-changer for Arunachal.

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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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