Gangtok: The Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) has called on the state government to rigorously uphold the existing ban on climbing Mt Kanchenjunga, citing its profound religious and cultural significance to the indigenous Bhutia and Lepcha communities.
At a press conference held on Monday, SIBLAC strongly condemned a recent mountaineering expedition that reportedly reached the summit on May 18, arguing that the ascent violated both legal provisions and deeply held local sentiments.
“Mt Kanchenjunga is not merely a mountain—it is a sacred deity for the people of Sikkim,” a SIBLAC representative said.
“This is about more than just climbing; it’s about honoring our spiritual beliefs, respecting the law, and preserving our identity.”
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The organisation referenced the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which prohibits expeditions to sacred sites, as well as Sikkim Government Notification No. 70/HOME/2001, which reaffirmed the state’s specific ban on summiting Mt Kanchenjunga.
SIBLAC urged the government to take immediate and decisive action to prevent any further violations, stressing that the mountain is protected by both cultural reverence and legal safeguards.
Reiterating its stance, the committee demanded full accountability for the recent breach and called for a renewed commitment from authorities to uphold the ban in both letter and spirit.
