New Border Tourism initiative to welcome visitors to Himachal Pradesh’s remote regions

Tourists from across India will now be able to witness the breathtaking beauty of the border areas of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti districts along the Indo-China border, as Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launches the Border Tourism initiative. The Chief Minister is set to inaugurate the initiative from Shipki-La, a prominent frontier village, during his upcoming two-day visit to Kinnaur district. A government spokesperson highlighted that the Border Tourism initiative, launched in coordination with the Union Government, marks a significant milestone for the State Beautiful. This move will allow regulated tourist access to strategically sensitive yet culturally vibrant destinations, including Lepcha-La, Shipki-La, Gue Monastery, Khana, Dumti, the Rani area of Sangla, and Chitkul in Kinnaur district, along with selected locations in Lahaul-Spiti. The spokesperson added that the State Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has consistently pursued this matter with the relevant authorities. “This long-standing effort has now begun yielding positive results, paving the way for responsible tourism and inclusive development in these remote tribal regions,” he said. The objective of the initiative, he further explained, is to promote sustainable border tourism while safeguarding national security and preserving the unique tribal heritage of the region. “Access to these areas, which previously required special permissions from the ITBP and Indian Army due to their strategic locations and security sensitivities, has now been streamlined under revised protocols,” he noted. Under the new guidelines, local residents and bona fide tourists can visit these sites by presenting valid identity documents. The ITBP and Army will continue to facilitate secure and smooth movement in accordance with established protocols. The initiative is expected to boost local infrastructure, create livelihood opportunities through responsible tourism, and foster a stronger sense of national integration for communities living in these remote tribal belts. “This marks a transformative step in the state’s developmental roadmap, blending security, sustainability, and socio-economic inclusion. The State Government remains committed to integrating India’s remotest villages into the mainstream, without compromising their distinct cultural identity,” the spokesperson concluded.