A recent expedition to scale the Khangchendzonga massif has drawn sharp criticism from indigenous communities in Sikkim, with local activist Gyatso Lepcha condemning the act as part of a broader commercial assault on the Himalayan range. Representing the group Affected Citizens of Teesta, Lepcha decried the climb as a violation of a site that holds profound spiritual and cultural significance for the state’s indigenous Lepcha and Bhutia communities.

Khangchendzonga, the third-highest mountain in the world, is not merely a geographical feature for the indigenous peoples of Sikkim—it is revered as a sacred guardian deity. Known locally as “Dzongchen” or “the five treasures of snow,” the massif is believed to house the spiritual protectors of the land and its people. According to Lepcha mythology, Khangchendzonga is a sanctified abode where deities reside, and its sanctity is interwoven into the oral traditions, rituals, and identity of the Lepcha people.

Gyatso Lepcha described the recent climbing attempt as part of a larger “attack on the entire Himalayan range,” accusing commercial and corporate interests of seeking to open up ecologically sensitive and spiritually vital regions for exploitation. “This is an attack from west to east—from Uttarakhand to Arunachal. And we, the indigenous communities, are the ones who will bear the brunt of it,” he said.

Although there have been prior attempts to scale the peak, these have consistently been met with resistance from the local population and prohibitions by the Sikkim government. The Sikkimese people, led by environmental and indigenous rights groups, have long maintained that Khangchendzonga should remain off-limits to mountaineers, out of respect for its sacred status.

“We are shocked and saddened,” said Lepcha. “Nothing is secure today, not even something as pristine and pure as Khangchendzonga. The idea behind these attempts is to ultimately pave the way for commercial exploitation, and that is highly condemnable.”

This incident underscores the growing tension between traditional ecological and spiritual values and modern commercial interests. For the indigenous peoples of Sikkim, the protection of Khangchendzonga is not just about preserving nature—it is about preserving their identity, culture, and a sacred trust handed down through generations.