Dehradun, Feb. 21 -- In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the winding mountain trails of Uttarakhand will be traced, not just by trekkers, but by satellites, coordinates and digital grids, officials familiar with the matter said. Under the plan, nearly 100 trekking routes will be digitally mapped, with a primary focus on trails above 4,000 metres, where paths are often unclear and vulnerable to sudden weather shifts. Every ascent, forest stretch and high-altitude campsite will be logged with precision. Officials say the initiative will help identify vulnerable zones, camping sites, nearby villages, accessible stretches and vantage points from where prominent peaks can be viewed. A comprehensive navigation app will also be developed to make the data accessible to trekkers. The move comes at a time when adventure tourism in the state is witnessing steady growth. From seasoned climbers to first-time trekkers, footfall in remote valleys has increased, bringing both opportunity and risk. Sudden weather changes, unmarked diversions and the lack of reliable route data have frequently posed challenges for visitors and rescue teams alike. Tourism secretary Dheeraj Garbyal said accurate trail data would enable authorities to regulate trekking activity more effectively, improve rescue response times and plan infrastructure in a responsible manner. "It is happening for the first time since the inception of the state in 2000," he said, adding that the work will be carried out by a third party selected through a tender process. The initiative follows several tragic incidents in recent years in which trekkers lost their way or were stranded in high-altitude regions. In 2024, nine members of a 22-member team died in a sudden blizzard during the Sahastra Tal trek in Uttarkashi district, prompting the state government to propose SOPs to ensure safer trekking practices. Garbyal said the government is also training youth from local villages through outdoor leadership courses so they can provide basic medical assistance during emergencies. They are being sensitised to the 'Leave No Trace' principles in an ecological context and trained to guide trekkers on more challenging routes. Founder of Trek The Himalayas Rakesh Pant welcomed the move, saying comprehensive mapping is critical for safety and sustainability. "Trekkers often lose their way in the absence of proper mapping. Camping is also taking place randomly, which is not sustainable for the mountains," he said. Pant added that GPS-based technology can map entire routes in detail, including landslide-prone areas, water points, designated camping sites and helipad zones for rescue operations. Once downloaded, such maps can be accessed offline during treks. A guidebook is also expected to be prepared alongside the digital platform....