New Delhi: In a bid to boost tourism and spotlight India’s military heritage, the government has opened parts of Rezang La and Kibithoo battlefields to visitors. These sites mark key locations of the India’s 1962 war with China.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has allowed civilians to access to Kibithoo and Bum La Pass in Arunachal Pradesh, and Rezang La and Pangong Tso in Ladakh. Doklam, a site of recent conflict in 2017, will also be made accessible to tourists.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the 77th Army Day, the Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi had said Monday, “The Indian Army is looking at border area development in a big way with four pillars—infrastructure, tourism, communication, and education. Cultural revival remains the mainstay.”
He also announced the launch of Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan, a website developed in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism to provide a one-stop solution for information and clearances for visits to forward area battlefields. The website, which Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched Wednesday, features virtual tours, historical narratives, and interactive content.
Military tourism is not new in India. Existing sites such as the Dras War Memorial in Kargil, commemorating the 1999 Kargil War, and the Walong War Memorial in Arunachal Pradesh, a tribute to the 1962 Battle of Walong, already attract a steady stream of visitors.
The other existing memorials that tourists can visit are Tawang War Memorial, Dograi War Memorial, Siachen War Memorial, Longewala War Memorial, Operation Meghdoot War Memorial, and Jaswant Garh War Memorial.
Expanding access to border regions for tourism aims to promote economic growth in remote areas with limited connectivity, while also serving as a deterrence against adversaries.
In September 2024, General Dwivedi emphasised the Army’s focus on transforming villages along the northern borders into ‘model villages’ to foster economic activity as a strategic deterrent. He noted that initiatives like border tourism in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh could strengthen India’s northern frontiers.
The Army has also expressed interest in opening other significant battlefields, such as Galwan Valley, Siachen, and Kargil, to provide civilians with insight into soldiers’ experiences during wartime. Access will also be given in the Lipulekh Pass. In Siachen, access to only certain battle points will be made available, depending on the altitude.
By encouraging military tourism, the Army not only aims to educate visitors about India’s wartime sacrifices but also supports the local economy in these regions.
(Edited by Radifah Kabir)
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