Himalayan Peaks Now Open to Tourists

In a move that will undoubtedly be accompanied by great shock and excitement from tourists around the globe, the Indian government has just opened over 100 different Himalayan peaks to the general public, giving them the once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the high altitudes and diverse culture of the mountains and the villages surrounding them.

In response to the considerably declining violence towards foreigners in areas in and around India, starting with the peace process with Iran, the Indian government has decided that it is time to allow tourists to experience the beauty and fertility of all the Himalayas have to offer.

In Kashmir, tourism has always comprised a large part of yearly income, especially for the villagers, as many offer tours of the mountains and sell arts and crafts to incoming visitors. The opening of the mountains is an attempt to boost rapidly declining tourism, a result of increasing violence in the area due to hostility in some surrounding territories.

In the early 1990s, separatist violence in the area prompted a large tourist ban that has stayed relatively constant up until now. Fear of attacks on tourists put a large strain on the economy, one that spokespersons for the government feel will be remedied with the opportunity for tourists to visit the newly re-opened mountains.

Media coverage of the violence in the area also deterred many from spending their vacation in Kashmir and neighboring regions. Fights between government forces and insurgents often left innocent visitors dead or injured, and well-deserved warnings from Western governments did nothing to prompt tourism to the locale.

However, media opinions seem to be largely changing. Kashmir is now recognized as one of the most underrated places to visit, and 2010 has been called “Visit Kashmir” year by the Indian government. Many locals seem to feel that opening the peaks to adventurers will encourage different forms of tourism and revenue both for villages and the government.

With light of this new information, tourism numbers might be higher in Kashmir and the Himalayas than they have been in over two decades, and the numbers are expected to increase as time goes on and the tourism industry is put at ease by the ever-decreasing rate of violence in the area.

[Image: txd/Flickr]