New Delhi, July 1: In a bid to promote the Himalayas as an adventure tourism destination, the government has given security clearance for opening of 104 peaks in Leh in J&K.
 The Union Tourism Ministry is also working with the Indian Mountaineering Federation and tour operators to promote the country as an adventure destination.
 This was disclosed by Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja during a function to felicitate Arjun Vajpai and Mamta Sodha, who have recently scaled Mount Everest.
 "Recently with the efforts of my Ministry, Government has given security clearance for opening of 104 additional peaks in Leh area to tourists subject to stipulations and clearances from state government, Ministry of Home Affairs and other concerned agencies.
 "The opening of the additional peaks will help in positioning the Indian Himalayas as an adventure tourism destination," she said.
 Selja also urged schools and other higher educational institutions to have compulsory programmes in adventure activities so that it helps in shaping personality traits like self-discipline, endurance, perseverance, self-confidence and pride for the nation among students.
 Outlining her ministry's efforts to promote adventure tourism, she said Goa-based National Institute of Water Sports is being upgraded with latest equipment for training in water sports activities.
 She called upon the state tourism departments to use the facilities and expertise available in adventure institutes under the Central government for capacity building for their staff involved in adventure tourism.
 "Even while we promote adventure tourism, it is our endeavour to ensure that safety of participants is not compromised with. My Ministry has laid down guidelines in this regard and I call upon each one of you to ensure their compliance in letter and spirit," she added.
 Congratulating Vajpayee and Sodha for their feat, she said, "These two young people have demonstrated that nothing is impossible to achieve in life and have done us proud with their achievement of summiting the world's highest peak, Mount Everest."
 She said Arjun's achievement at the young age of 16 is commendable.

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