Himalayan Explorers organized the 2nd “Save the Yak” motoring expedition (First was the Trans Himalayan “Save the Yak” expedition), to mark the 58th Raising Day of Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force, which is the sentinel of the Himalayas and Yak is an endangered species in the Indian Himalayas. The expedition was led by Dr. Vinod Laxminarayan Thakur, the then Dy. Commandant/Vet, ITBP.
The aim of this expedition was:
- To propagate the message of Yak conservation, a dwindling population in the Indian Himalayas.
- To test drive Mahindra SUV’s in the most hospitable condition, at an altitude as high as 18634 feet and freezing temperature as low as -35 degree Celsius.
- To mark the 58th anniversary of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force, sentinels of the mighty Himalayas.
Avril selected 15 members team to embark on this expedition, from the Mahindra Factory at Kandivili to Karakoram Pass and back. Mahindra Adventure was the vehicle partner (Provided 05 Mahindra SUV’s) to the Himalayan Explorers, along with their media team in a separate SUV. Avril named the SUV’s on the basis of five elements of the earth, i.e. Agni, Prithvi, Aakash, Jal and Vayu, instead of numbering them as 1to 5.
The expedition was flagged of on 20th of October 2015 from Mahindra & Mahindra Kandivili so as to reach ITBPF 39th Battalion, NOIDA on 23rd October.
24th October (58th Raising Day of ITBP), the expedition was flagged of in the hands of Sh. Krishna Chowdhry, the then DGITBPF.
The team travelled via Nashik, Ratlam, Jaipur, Gautam Budha Nagar, Manali, and the five famous passes viz. Rohtang, Baralacha, Namikla, Lachungla and Tanglangla to Leh.
After proper acclimatization at Leh and final medical examination of the team members at ITBP Composite Hospital, the team drove to the forward locations escorted by Commandant (Medical), Dr. Sarabjit Singh. The team drove through all the three sectors of Laddakh covering Marsmik-la, Rizang-la, Saitan Singh Memorial, Hanle (Highest Observatory in the world), Karzok, Tso-Morari etc.
Achievement of the expedition: Mahindra SUV’s proved their worth and now they form a fleet of not only ITBP but all the Central Armed Police Forces.
