No plans to set up Mountaineering & Skiing Institute in Kargil: Union Minister

New Delhi, Feb 3: The Government of India Monday clarified that there is currently no proposal to establish a Mountaineering and Skiing Institute in Kargil, Union Territory of Ladakh.
In response to a question raised by Member Parliament Ladakh Mohmmad Haneefa in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, stated that while Kargil has a promising scope for mountaineering and skiing, there are no plans at present to set up a dedicated institute in the district.
Dr. Mandaviya highlighted that the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports (JIM&WS), Pahalgam, operates under the aegis of the Ministry of Defence and already conducts mountaineering and skiing courses at its various training centres. These centres are located in Sonmarg, Gulmarg, Sanasar, Bhaderwah, and Shey Leh (Ladakh), catering to participants from across the country, including Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir.
The institute is co-funded by the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, and the Government of Jammu & Kashmir. However, no formal steps have been initiated to establish a similar facility in Kargil.