Central Idea

• India has tremendous tourism potential in its border states, which remains largely untapped due to the remoteness of locations and difficulty of access. The government has made unprecedented efforts to build border infrastructure and announced plans to open villages along the northern border for tourists under the Vibrant Villages Programme. However, encouraging tourism in these areas requires promoting hubs of civilian presence, building necessary infrastructure, and conducting feasibility studies to ensure sustainable development.

What is Vibrant Villages Programme?

• Improve infrastructure in villages along India’s border with China: The Vibrant Villages program is a government initiative aimed at improving infrastructure and creating job opportunities in villages situated along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
• Overview: The program involves a significant allocation of funds, i.e., Rs 4,800 crore, to upgrade 633 villages situated in five states, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Ladakh. Under the programme, residential and tourist centres will be constructed.
• Objectives of the program: The program aims to enhance the living conditions of the people residing in the border areas and improve the security situation along the LAC with China.
• Expected Benefits: The Vibrant Villages program aims to provide better facilities like schools, 24×7 electricity, and more 4G telecommunication towers in the border areas to match what is available in settlements across the LAC.
• Strategy to enhance security: The Vibrant Villages program is part of the broader Indian government strategy to enhance security along the border with China. The investment in developing infrastructure and creating job opportunities is a crucial step towards improving the living conditions of the people in the border areas and enhancing the security situation along the LAC with China.
• Program is modelled after Chinese actions on LAC: The program is modelled after the Chinese military and civilian authorities’ actions on their side of the LAC to build permanent population settlements along the border.

Tourism potential in Border areas

1. Karakoram:

• Regular motorcycle expeditions should be organised for civilians in cooperation with India’s major motorcycle manufacturers. Areas such as the Saser Kangri massif could be explored for mountaineering expeditions by small experienced teams in tandem with the armed forces and the Indian Mountaineering Federation.

2. Areas around Pangong Lake:

• The area around Pangong Lake and Chushul is a delight for photographers and birdwatchers. In the Changthang wildlife sanctuary, there are wetlands and a thriving population of the Kiang, a wild ass.
• Lhari Peak is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists.
• The Demchok area is home to several hot springs that are popular for naturopathy cures.
• The nearby villages of Tsaga, Koyul and Hanle can also be further developed.
• Tourism can be promoted in the Tso Moriri lake area, with a particular focus on home stays.

3. Mana Pass and Niti Valley in Uttarakhand:

• It is one of the world’s highest vehicle-accessible passes.
• The village of Mana is rich in mythology, believed to be the gateway to heaven, and is situated near popular destinations like Hemkund and the Valley of Flowers and the revered Badrinath shrine is located nearby.
• Tourists can enjoy sailing on the Deo Tal Lake near Mana, while skiing enthusiasts can make use of the nearby slopes. Mount Kamet and other peaks in the Nilang-Jadang valley are also ideal for mountaineering expeditions.

4. Tourism Potential in Sikkim:

• In Sikkim, the region around Doka La is ripe for tourism.
• Pedong, Nathang Valley, Zuluk, Kupup, Baba Harbhajan Mandir and the Yak Gold Course, the highest golf course in the world, are nearby.
• Conducted tours, including trekking expeditions up to Batang La, could be a start.

5. Bum La Pass in Arunachal Pradesh

• In the eastern sector, the Bum La Pass in Arunachal Pradesh is already a well-established tourism hub.
• There is scope to bring in more tourists all the way up to Zero Point, the site of border personnel meetings with China.
• Publicity should be given to the memorial built there in honour of Subedar (Baba) Joginder Singh, who was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra for outstanding bravery in the battle near Tongpen La during the India-China war in 1962.
• Nearby, the Pangateng and Sangetsar lakes are picturesque.
• Expeditions on the lines of NIMAS’s Winter Bailey Trekking Expedition could attract international tourists to Tawang and the interiors of the State

What measures should be taken to promote commercial activity in India’s remote border areas?

1. Transition from Military to Tourism in Remote Areas:

• Encourage Commercial Activity:
• Prioritize Tourism
• Build Infrastructure for Tourism

2. Developing Border Areas for Sustainable Growth:

• Establish Civilian Hubs and Home Stays
• Allocate Border Area Development Programme Funds
• Install Vital Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy Sources

Conclusion

• While developing border areas for security is crucial, conducting feasibility studies before implementing tourism projects is equally important to ensure sustainability. Unplanned construction violates norms and harms the Himalayan belt, so promoting sustainable infrastructure that benefits the local economy is necessary.

Mains Question

Q. India’s Border Areas have Tremendous Tourism Potential, but it remains largely untapped due to remoteness and accessibility. What measures should be taken to promote commercial activity in India’s remote border areas?

Are you an IAS Worthy Aspirant? Get a reality check with the All India Smash UPSC Scholarship Test

Get upto 100% Scholarship | 900 Registration till now | Only 100 Slots Left

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now