Army opens up battlefields in Himalayas to tourists

In a multi-pronged effort to match China’s efforts to set up villages along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), India has chosen 100 additional villages for creating infrastructure for tourism. Separately, the Indian Army is opening up locations for tourists in the Himalayas where battles have been fought in the past.

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi today said: “Now, you are allowed to climb to Tiger Hill and see the battlefield.” Pitched battles were fought on the Tiger Hill during the Kargil conflict in May-July 1999.

General Dwivedi was speaking at a “border area development conclave” hosted by the Ministry of Defence. “We are trying to open up areas that are inaccessible. Infrastructure and habitations will deter any claims being made,” General Dwivedi said, referring to the undemarcated LAC with China. In Arunachal Pradesh, the Army is setting up a pilot project for tourism in Zemithang. Located west of Tawang, Zemithang, is the last village of India near the LAC. In 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama had entered India from this route. “The saga of battles in the Himalayas need to be told, and we are now allowing trekkers to come and see these areas,” he said.