All-Women BSF Team Embarks on Historic Mountaineering Expedition

A 12-member all-women BSF team has begun an expedition to scale the 7,130-meter Mount Mukut East peak in Uttarakhand. This marks the first all-women CAPF mountaineering endeavor. The mission, led by constable Saraswati Lama, promotes women empowerment and environmental cleanliness initiatives.

A historic expedition embarked on Monday as a 12-member all-women Border Security Force (BSF) mountaineering team was flagged off to scale a 7,130-meter peak in Uttarakhand, near the India-Tibet border.

The team, under the leadership of constable Saraswati Lama, aims to reach the summit of Mount Mukut East in the North Garhwal Himalayas by mid-September. This venture is the first all-women central armed police forces (CAPF) mountaineering expedition to this peak, according to a BSF spokesperson.

The expedition, flagged off by BSF additional director general (ADG) Anurag Garg from the headquarters in Lodhi Road, Delhi, is a significant step in promoting women empowerment, cleanliness, and fitness. BSF Inspector General (Training) Raja Babu Singh highlighted that the mission carries messages of 'Swachh Bharat-Swachh Himalaya' and 'Hum Fit-Toh India Fit.' The team also plans to bring down and dispose of garbage from the peak at Joshimath, Uttarakhand.

Two more all-women expeditions are slated for this year: a river rafting journey from Gangotri to Gangasagar and a coastal cycling tour from Dwarka to Sunderbans, scheduled for October-November.

(With inputs from agencies.)