Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday marked the successful completion of 4 mountaineering expeditions conducted by the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Uttarkashi, during a programme at his Camp Office in Dehradun.
one of the missions was a joint Mount Aconcagua expedition undertaken with the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports (JIM&WS), Pahalgam. Dhami praised the mountaineers for maintaining courage, discipline, technical ability and team coordination in demanding high-altitude conditions.
He said the expeditions could encourage young people in Uttarakhand and elsewhere in India to explore adventure activities. The programme also highlighted the role of organised mountaineering training and teamwork in challenging environments.
New cattle shelter opened in Khatima
Later, Dhami inaugurated a newly built gaushala at Haldi Farm in Khatima, Udham Singh Nagar. The facility has been established for more than 2000 destitute cattle, according to the Chief Minister.
The shelter is intended to provide cattle without caretakers with a secure place to stay, along with fodder and other essential arrangements. Dhami said the project was designed to address concerns faced by farmers and residents because of cattle roaming freely on roads and agricultural land.
He said stray cattle can damage standing crops and create risks for the animals themselves. Referring to the difficulties faced by farming families, Dhami said even a minor weakness in field fencing could allow cattle to enter and destroy crops.
The Chief Minister described the gaushala as more than a formal public facility. He presented it as part of a wider effort to offer destitute cattle a safe and dignified home while reducing the pressure on farmers and local residents.
Similar facilities planned across Uttarakhand
Dhami said similar gaushalas were being constructed at over 60 locations across Uttarakhand. The stated aim is to reduce the problems associated with cattle roaming on streets, including danger to the animals, crop damage and inconvenience for the public.
He also said the required systems had been arranged at the Khatima facility. These include provisions for fodder and other necessities needed for the cattle’s care.
The Chief Minister called on voluntary organisations to participate in the initiative. He said wider cooperation would help the programme continue and expand.
The Khatima project gives the issue a direct local significance in Udham Singh Nagar, where the administration is seeking to provide shelter for cattle that have no one to look after them. The broader construction programme is expected to extend the approach to other parts of the state.
2 initiatives highlighted on the same day
Dhami’s schedule brought together Uttarakhand’s adventure-training efforts and a local cattle-welfare project. The mountaineering programme focused on discipline, expertise and youth inspiration, while the Khatima facility addressed crop protection, public safety and the care of destitute cattle.
The events also connected state-level initiatives with local concerns. NIM’s work was presented as an example of organised high-altitude achievement, while the gaushala was described as a practical response to problems affecting farmers, residents and animals.
Conclusion
Dhami recognised 4 NIM expeditions in Dehradun and opened a gaushala for more than 2000 cattle in Khatima, with similar shelters planned at over 60 locations across Uttarakhand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where were the 4 mountaineering expeditions conducted from?
The expeditions were conducted by the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi.
Q. Which expedition was organised with another institute?
The Mount Aconcagua expedition was carried out jointly with the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports, Pahalgam.
Q. Where was the new gaushala inaugurated?
It was opened at Haldi Farm in Khatima, Udham Singh Nagar.
Q. How many cattle can the Khatima shelter accommodate?
The shelter has been established for more than 2000 destitute cattle.
Q. How many other gaushala sites are being developed?
Similar gaushalas are being constructed at over 60 locations across Uttarakhand.
Q. Why is the cattle-shelter initiative considered important?
It aims to provide care for destitute cattle and reduce crop damage, risks to animals and difficulties for farmers and the general public.
