SRINAGAR: Ladakh UT administration on Tuesday suspended the famous Chaddar trek over frozen Zanskar river after a committee comprising BRO and UT Disaster Response Force found the river had begun to unfreeze, making one of India’s most challenging winter treks hazardous.“No trekking or allied adventure activity will be permitted on the route during the suspension period… We will analyse the conditions after Jan 20 and take a further decision,” district disaster management authority CEO Ghulam Mohd told a press conference in Leh.The trek was scheduled to begin on January 10.The officials said Chaddar trek has significant potential for winter tourism in Ladakh. “We are sensitive to the importance of the trek because it brings a large number of tourists to the region,” he said.Over the past two years, the govt has deployed SDRF and NDRF teams and provided medical assistance to trekkers. “No tourist is permitted on the trek without medical clearance,” Mohd said.Over 500 tourists took part in the trek on the frozen river, where temperatures can drop to minus 25 degrees Celsius, last year, while over 300 had registered this season.This year over 300 tourists registered for the trek on the frozen river, where temperatures can drop to minus 25 degrees Celsius, as against 500 last year.
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