Is it essential to convert a sand-and-gravel path into a metalled road? China says yes, but India counters it saying not at the cost of environment. Ready China assures that monitoring the number of tourists visiting that road brush-up every doubt.

Chairman of National Tourism Administration, Shao Qiwei told media that if China respects environment and tourism equally but if the demand of the hour is to choose one then environment is the first priority.

Environmentalists in India and elsewhere have protested China’s move to convert 110-kilometer long sand-and-gravel path into a “black-topped, metalled road, lined with guardrails” for athletes to take the Olympic torch to the summit. China’s concern for environment cannot be doubted as the country can attract tourism through green environs only.

Also, the very climate of the Himalayas doesn’t invite many tourists, making it difficult for the climbers to reach at such a height. Exemplifying it Qiwei said: “This we have discovered when we built Quinghai-Lhasa high altitude train. Many people got breathless when they reached that height in the train. Mount Qomolangma (Everest) is much higher than that,” he said.

So, is this debate enough to water the protest raged by Environmentalists to convert 110-kilometre long katchha road into a metalled one sand for athletes to take the Olympic torch to the summit?