Border Tourism : A Need Or Responsibility
Every Indian takes immense pride to live in this great nation - Bharat which boasts of its diverse cultural and natural heritage and an eternal rich history attached to it. As we turn the pages of history especially during the post-independence period, we have either seen or read stories of gallantry of our armed forces which has fought 5 major wars . A number of armed conflicts to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country have been therein the past and many untold stories of extreme courage, heroism and sacrifices are in existence. To Make aware to our present and future generation of these sacrifices , Promotion of border Tourism
is responsibility of all Indians.
Border tourism today is restricted to habited areas and three to four passes on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). In Himachal Pradesh, the border remains out of bounds for tourists. Visitors to Mansarovar transit through Lipulekh pass on the LAC in Uttarakhand as part of the government–controlled Yatra. In Sikkim, Indian visitors are allowed to Nathula -Pass . In Arunachal Pradesh, only Bum La pass on the LAC is open for Indian tourists. Religious visits are allowed for local people to Chumi Gyatse colloquially referred to as the ‘Holy Waterfalls. Highly remote locations, Difficult accessibility, Deficient infrastructure Cumbersome procedure of visiting like security clearance, issue of permits and Over dependence of local economy on military deployment are also contributing to slow growth of this section of domestic tourism.
Border tourism is need of the day and may help in stopping intrusions by neighboring countries which have strategic and economic interest in special regions of the Indian territory. Taking advantage of unfenced territory in the northern India, few of them have been aggressively building up presence in those regions with the goal of more territorial claim. Neighboring country is in advanced stage of completion of developing border infrastructure too. Habitation of these area will surely help in longer run.
Lack of roads and infrastructure certainly has been a factor until a decade ago. In 2007, on the recommendations of the China Study Group, it was decided to develop roads right up to the LAC except in some sensitive areas. India’s “Border area development program “under the Ministry of Home Affairs has been operational since 1986-87 for the security and well-being of its border population. Development of border roads was given top priority by the GOI from 2014. Since then, border roads have been under development on war footing. Efforts of GOI are applauded for their initiatives like Vibrant Village program which was announced in the union budget as a centrally sponsored scheme to develop villages along the northern borders of India. The Cabinet has sanctioned 4800 crores to develop 2963 villages in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim region. Hon’ble Home Minister Shri Amit Shah has also visited kibithoo village. Ministry of tourism also took initiatives to promote tourism in the border areas through their schemes like PRASHAD, Overseas promotion and publicity scheme. Ministry of finance made a special reference in the recent budget announcement on Unity Mall to be made by states with special thrust to border tourism.
Diversification of remote border villages to augment livelihood sources is vital for economic development of these rural stretches. All-weather roads, fuel pumps, rest, houses, home stays, telecom facilities, meeting of power requirement is way ahead, Border areas specially in Himalayan terrain has fragile nature of ecosystem. Infrastructures in these areas have to be built in sustainable manner with benefits to local economy. Unriddled construction in violation of norms leads to subsidence in the Himalayan belt. A propore feasibility study is hence required to ensure that the overall development planned in the area should be sustainable one.
Itineraries for border tour packages have to be clubbed with other places of interest of the region i.e, Rezangla pass itinerary has to be clubbed with Nubra Valley, Siachen war moment Memorial ,Pangong Lake to have better sale and appreciation by tourist. Most of the border places are distantly located so end to end delivery by tour operators will always be preference of customer. Tour should be completely guided specially by uniformed staff with complete narration of story with the help of technology. Cultural portrayal of the place be arranged involving local people the vehicle with well-appointed accommodation at destination to be arranged in advance.
The above blog contains personal opinion based on study and relevant research. The blog is produced purely for educational purpose.