High altitude illness in the Himalayas: New frontiers and associated risks

  • Roshan Lal Chief Medical Officer, District Hospital at Keylong, Lahaul & Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, India
  • Urmila Sharma Scientist, ICMR Field Station, Keylong, Lahaul & Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, India
  • Aditya Dogra Research Associate, AIIMS, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, India
  • Jai Prakash Narain Former Director, Communicable Diseases, WHO Regional Office, New Delhi, India

Abstract

High-altitude mountains have captivated people around the world for centuries, drawing them for exploration, spiritual reverence, and cultural experiences. These peaks symbolize resilience, divine presence, and ecological importance across South Asia. In the Himalayas, the high mountain areas are a popular destination for tourism, hiking and trekking, mountaineering, and religious purposes. 

References

1) Desai D, Kapoor S. Temporal compensation in Himalayas: managing tourism and monsoon hazards. ORF, October 18, 2025. Available orfonline.org)
2) Bhaumik G, Dass D, Ghosh D, et al. Effect of Intermittent Normobaric Hypoxia Exposures on Acute Mountain Sickness during Acute Ascent to 3500 m in Indian Army Personnel. Def Life Sci J 2018; 3(3): 209-215. doi: 10.14429/dlsj.3.1290).
Published
2026-03-14