It is being ensured that tourism growth in border regions goes hand-in-hand with security and infrastructure development
Promoting tourism in border areas is being given special emphasis by the Government as it acts as a catalyst for the development of the region, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said while addressing the Border Area Development Conclave in New Delhi on September 11, 2024.
“Tourism has immense potential in border areas, but it could not reach the desired heights due to lack of infrastructure. Things have changed since this Government came to power. We are working towards development in these areas. From 2020 to 2023, the footfall of tourists in Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh increased by 30%. Similarly, there has been a significant increase in Kashmir as compared to the last few years. This has resulted in job creation and strengthening of local economy. We are taking consistent steps to make J&K a tourist hotspot,” Singh said.
Singh highlighted ‘reverse migration’, which he termed as one of the positive outcomes of economic development in border areas. He made special mention of Huri village in Arunachal Pradesh, a unique example of development through civil-military collaboration. He stated that while the central and state governments focused on economic progress, BRO & Indian Army laid emphasis on infrastructure development, which resulted in reverse migration.
Singh also spoke about the Vibrant Village programme which aims to highlight the possibilities of border villages and ensure their development. “Our objective is to transform the villages along the Northern borders, especially in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh, which are suffering from limited connectivity and infrastructure, into a ‘Model Village’. We aim to connect them to the mainstream of development,” he said.
The Minister commended the contribution of the Indian Army in the development of border areas. He said the Army is connecting the border areas with the rest of the country through roads and bridges, and is also working for the future of the youth by running schools in the region. “The Government, along with Indian Army, is ensuring the participation of people residing in border areas in their development. We are encouraging the youth to enroll in NCC. Many government schemes are being run with the sole aim of development,” he said.
In his address, India’s Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat spoke on ‘Tourism A Catalyst for Growth in Border Regions’. He highlighted the role of the Indian Army in these efforts. He stated that through joint projects it is being ensured that tourism growth in border regions goes hand-in-hand with security and infrastructure development.
The Minister added that under the Prime Minister’s leadership, India’s borders have become secure in line with the slogan ‘Surakshit Seemayein, Sashakt Bharat; ‘Surakshit Seemayein, Samriddha Bharat’. He also lauded the ‘Vibrant Villages’ initiative through development of villages, curbing migration, preservation of culture, boosting connectivity and development of basic facilities are being carried out.
The Ministry of Tourism has outlined a comprehensive roadmap to sustain and enhance the development of tourism in border regions. This roadmap rests on three pillars: Infrastructure Development, Sustainable Practices & Community Engagement.
Speaking on the occasion, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu appreciated the Vibrant Villages programme of PM Modi-led Government which has transformed the border areas of the state by providing sustained development. He also praised the Indian Army for initiating developmental projects and outreach activities through Operation Sadbhavna & Project Samaritan.
Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi described Border Area Development as a core component of national security. He stated that Indian Army’s efforts in the past have contributed immensely towards model villages in border areas, border tourism and developing infrastructure support including medical support & Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations. The border area development vision is bold, ambitious and deeply rooted in the principles of inclusivity, sustainability & security, he said, adding that there has been a ‘Whole of Nation Approach’ with renewed impetus.
The conclave was jointly organised by the Indian Army, in collaboration with Centre for Land Warfare Studies, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Telecommunications and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh. The aim is to create a sustainable, secure and prosperous future for India’s border regions, which are not only gateways to the nation but also crucial for national security and regional development.
