KULLU: Trekking above an altitude of 3,000 metres has been banned in Kangra and Kinnaur districts of Himachal Pradesh till further orders due to approaching winters.

The orders to this effect have been issued by both the district administrations.

A Kangra district official said that prior permission would be required to do treks below 3,000 metres in the district, including the Triund trek, Kareri Lake trek and Himani Chamnuda trek.

"The permission for these three treks would not be given if there is a weather alert or warning from the meteorological department.

Action would be taken under sections of the IPC and National Disaster Management Act against those found violating the orders," said the official.

The administration has also banned all paragliding activities near Dhauladhar mountains of the district.

In a separate order, Kinnaur has also banned all trekking activities above 3,000 metres in the district.

Kullu, Kangra and Kinnaur districts are the main hotspots of trekking in Himachal Pradesh.

The administrations enforce a ban in winters as trekking becomes risky in winters due to change in weather conditions and many trekkers have gone missing in winters in these three districts in recent years.

Last year, on January 24, two teenagers had dies after getting stuck in a heavy snowfall while trekking in Dhauladhar mountains in Kangra district.

Ashutosh, another trekker from Shimla, had also gone missing last year on November 19 after an avalanche on the Friendship peak in Kullu.

Three trekkers were climbing the peak when avalanche had hit them.

The body of Ashutosh has still not been found.

Meanwhile, D R Suman, the president of the Parvati Valley Adventure Tour Operators' Association, Kullu, said on Wednesday that police and forest check posts should be set up on trekking routes.

"Such check posts would ensure that only those can go on a trek who have taken prior permission from the administration.

This way the local administration would also have prior information on who all are trekking or have returned.

This would definitely help in timely rescue of stranded trekkers," said Suman.

Mandi administration issued orders banning trekking to the Shikari Devi temple.

In a statement, the administration said all trekking to the temple would remain banned till further orders, the statement said.

"Trekking up to the temple is risky in winters as the mountain top receives 8 to 10 feet of snow," said the statement.