Lipulekh Pass

Lipulekh (elevation 5,334 m or 17,500 ft) is a Himalayan pass connecting the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand in the Pithoragarh district in India with the old trading town of Taklakot (Purang) in Tibet. It has been used since ancient times by traders, mendicants and pilgrims transiting between India and Tibet. This is used by Manasarovar pilgrims. Presently, it is a border post manned by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.

Tourism

This pass links the Byans Valley (locally called Byans) and Chaudans valley of India with the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, and forms the last territorial point in Indian territory. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a Hindu pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, traverses this pass. Lipulekh pass is connected to Chang Lobochahela, near the old trading town of Purang (Taklakot), in Tibet.

India-China Trading Post

The pass is first Indian border post to be opened for trade with China in 1992. This was followed by the opening of Shipki La, Himachal Pradesh in 1994 and Nathu La, Sikkim in 2006. Presently, Lipulekh pass is open for cross-border trade every year from June through September.

The items cleared for export from India include gur, misri, Tobacco, Spices, pulse, Fafar flour, Coffee, Vegetable oil, ghee and various miscellaneous consumable items, whereas the main imports into India include Sheep Wool, Passam, Sheep, Goats, borax, Yak tails, Chhirbi (butter) and raw Silk.

India-China BPM (Border Personnel Meeting) point

It is one of the four officially agreed BPM (Border Personnel Meeting) point between Indian Army and People's Liberation Army of China for regular consultations and interactions between the two armies, which helps in defusing face-offs. The four BPM are: Chushul in Ladakh, Nathu La in Sikkim, Bum La Pass in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh and Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand close to Qiang.^[1]

See also

• Nathu La
• Shipki La
• Dharchula

References

External links

• Photos of pass