CM flags off NDRF’s 4th Mountaineering Expedition ‘Shikhar’ to Mt Jongsong

GANGTOK, (IPR): The 4th NDRF Mountaineering Expedition ‘Shikhar’ to Mt Jongsong, at an altitude of 7,462 metres, was flagged off today at Chintan Bhawan, Gangtok, by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay in the presence of MLA-cum-Advisor LB Das and Director General, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Piyush Anand.

The expedition has been organised by the NDRF in collaboration with the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) under the Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department. The expedition aims to enhance the technical and endurance capabilities of NDRF personnel through high-altitude exposure and strengthen their preparedness for specialised rescue operations in challenging mountain environments.

The programme commenced with the arrival of the Chief Minister, followed by a group photograph, a visit to the equipment gallery and a demonstration by NDRF personnel. Students of PM SHRI Government Senior Secondary School, Bojoghari, also participated in the demonstration.

Addressing the flag-off ceremony of Expedition Shikhar, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay highlighted the importance of strengthening disaster preparedness and response capabilities in Sikkim, a geographically sensitive Himalayan State. He began by expressing his condolences on behalf of the Government and people of Sikkim to all the families who lost their loved ones due to the devastating floods in Nepal.

The Chief Minister extended his appreciation to the NDRF for its support and services during the 2011 Sikkim earthquake, the 2023 Teesta floods and the Teesta Stage VI tunnel accident, and acknowledged the Force’s dedicated service to the people of the State.

He highlighted the importance of strengthening disaster management and preparedness at the grassroots level through initiatives such as the Aapda Mitra programme and other trained personnel. He informed that 1,185 personnel have been trained under such initiatives, contributing to a stronger disaster management network at the community level.

He also highlighted the permanent presence of the NDRF at Pakyong and the development of a permanent NDRF centre in Sikkim. Referring to the conferment of the Subhash Chandra Bose AapdaPrabandhan Puraskar 2025 on the SSDMA, he noted the recognition of the State’s efforts in strengthening disaster management and preparedness.

The Chief Minister emphasised the importance of public awareness and regular training in disaster preparedness, particularly at the community level and among schoolchildren. He extended his best wishes to the 41-member expedition team and stressed the importance of safety, discipline and environmental responsibility throughout the expedition.

He also encouraged the team to document glacial lakes and relevant geographical observations during the expedition. He expressed gratitude to the Government of India and the NDRF for selecting Sikkim for the expedition.

Director General, NDRF, Piyush Anand, in his welcome address, highlighted the importance of strengthening the force’s technical and operational capabilities for high-altitude operations. He stated that Mt Jongsong, standing at 7,462 metres, presents a challenging terrain and provides an important opportunity for specialised training and operational preparedness.

He said the expedition reflects the two core pillars of the NDRF, namely rapid disaster response and capacity building. He highlighted the force’s benchmark of achieving a 20-minute turnout for emergency response and its preparedness to respond to both natural and man-made disasters, including Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) emergencies.

Anand further emphasised the importance of community preparedness and disaster-risk reduction. He highlighted the role of capacity building and training of State Disaster Response Forces (SDRF), Home Guards and Civil Defence personnel to strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms at different levels.

He expressed appreciation to the Government of Sikkim and the State authorities for their support and coordination, and also acknowledged the assistance extended by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Army.

The welcome address was followed by a presentation on the organisation, including a video presentation, by the Deputy Inspector General, Training, NDRF.

During the programme, 12 Aapda Mitra volunteers who represented Sikkim at the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi in 2026 were felicitated by the Chief Minister.

Special Secretary, SSDMA, Praina Gurung, briefed the gathering on the Aapda Mitra Scheme, an initiative of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) aimed at strengthening disaster risk reduction through trained community-level first responders.

She highlighted that trained personnel under the scheme are positioned at the village, block and district levels to support first response during disasters and create awareness among communities on disaster preparedness and risk reduction. She also highlighted the contribution of the Aapda Mitra volunteers towards strengthening community-level disaster preparedness.

Gurung also recalled the conferment of the Subhash Chandra Bose AapdaPrabandhan Puraskar 2025 on SSDMA in recognition of its contribution to disaster management.

Expedition leader Nitesh Sharma briefed the gathering on the expedition plan, preparations and objectives. The expedition is scheduled from September 4 to October 11, 2026, and aims to enhance technical mountaineering skills, endurance and high-altitude rescue capabilities among the participating personnel.

The expedition will provide the team with exposure to snowbound and challenging mountain terrain and familiarise them with the operational challenges associated with high-altitude rescue. It will also focus on strengthening the capabilities of female rescuers and promoting inter-agency coordination and environmentally responsible mountaineering.

The 41-member expedition team comprises 25 climbing members, including two female members, and 16 support personnel. The team has undergone rigorous pre-expedition training and high-altitude drills in North Sikkim as part of its preparation for the expedition.

The team will encounter several challenges during the expedition, including high altitude, adverse weather conditions, moraines, rock and ice faces, glaciers, crevasses and avalanche-prone stretches. Arrangements have been made for communication, medical support, weather monitoring and emergency evacuation to address operational and safety requirements.

The expedition will follow the principles of ‘Leave No Trace’, with particular emphasis on responsible management of non-biodegradable waste and protection of the fragile mountain environment. The team will also remain mindful of local flora and fauna and respect local culture, traditions and communities.

Local guides and porters will be engaged wherever required, supporting local livelihoods while facilitating the expedition in the challenging terrain.

The expedition flag was formally handed over to expedition leader Nitesh Sharma by the Chief Minister, marking the formal flag-off of the expedition.

The programme concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Commandant, 2nd NDRF, Manish Ranjan.

The programme was attended by Cabinet Ministers, MLAs-cum-Advisors, Chairpersons, Chief Secretary R Telang, DGP Mr Akshay Sachdeva, Adhyaksha and Upa-Adhyaksha, Gangtok, Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Gangtok Municipal Corporation, Councillors, Heads of Departments, distinguished guests, senior police officers and officers and staff of SSDMA.

The expedition is expected to further strengthen high-altitude rescue preparedness, enhance technical expertise and operational endurance, promote inter-agency coordination and reinforce the principles of safe, responsible and sustainable mountaineering.