Mt Khangchendzonga
Context: Sikkim Chief Minister recently urged the Centre to ensure that Mt. Khangchendzonga, the world’s third-highest peak, regarded as sacred by the people of the State, is made out of bounds for mountaineers.
Important Pointers:
Third-Highest Peak Globally: Mt. Khangchendzonga (Kanchenjunga) is the third-highest mountain in the world (8,586 m), after Mt. Everest and K2.
Highest Peak in India: It is the highest mountain peak in India, located on the Sikkim–Nepal border.
Location Details: It lies 74 km north-northwest of Darjeeling, straddling eastern Nepal and Sikkim, India.
Part of the Great Himalayan Range: Kanchenjunga belongs to the Great Himalayan Range, the highest section of the Himalayas.
Meaning of the Name: The name “Khangchendzonga” means “Five Treasuries of the Great Snow”, referring to its five peaks.
Major Glaciers: Key glaciers include Zemu (NE), Talung (SE), Yalung (SW), and Kanchenjunga (NW).
Monsoonal and Winter Snowfall: The peak receives heavy monsoonal snow in summer and lighter snowfall in winter.
Khangchendzonga National Park: Located in Sikkim, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its rich biodiversity.
First Ascent in 1955: The first successful ascent was made in 1955 by a British expedition led by Charles Evans via the southwest face.