The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has planned a first of its kind motor car expedition “Sea Route to Silk Route” at altitudes of 17,000 feet that will commence later this week to commemorate the paramilitary’s 54th Raising Day and raise awareness about Yak conservation (Yak is an endangered species in the Indian Himalayas).
“To Commemorate the Raising Day and to spread the message of conservation of Yak, an endangered species, the border guarding paramilitary force ITBP has planned to undertake a motor car expedition ‘Sea Route to Silk Route’ — a first of its kind on such a high altitude,” Public Relations Officer of ITBP Vivek Kumar Pandey said.
The expedition team will have a total of 15 members distributed in five vehicles that will cover a distance of nearly 4,000 km. The team will travel for 15 days from Kandivilli to Karakoram covering various cities including Mumbai, Nagpur, Jhansi, Delhi, Chandigarh, Kullu, Manali, Rohtang, Kellong and leh while reaching to Karakoram Pass and back via same route in their about 4000 km journey.
“The climax of the journey would be the high altitude voyage on roads on altitudes of more than 17,000 feet at places in ladakh region,” Pandey further said. Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Himalayan Explorers and private club Mahindra Adventure will also be part of the Expedition.
Beginning at Mumbai on October 24, the Expedition will be flagged off formally on October 28 in Greater Noida by the Chief Guest of the ITBP Raising Day function. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to be the Chief Guest of the ITBP’s Raising Day function this year.
During the Expedition, the team will spread awareness about Yak conservation. The paramilitary has also planned to organise a seminar on the issue at leh on October 31.
During the return journey, the team will meet director General of ITBP Krishna Chaudhary to share its experiences gathered during the expedition.
The ITBP guards Indo-China border at high altitudes in the Himalayas since its raising in 1962.