Uttarakhand plans ‘border tourism’ to populate abandoned villages

Uttarakhand government might lift the ‘Inner Line Permit’ in some areas of the hill state adjoining the border areas with an aim to develop areas for ‘border tourism’. The Inner Line Permit (ILP) is required to visit some areas of the state which are ecologically and otherwise deemed sensitive.

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Key-Points

In the backdrop of the Galwan Valley standoff, the Centre is planning to build a second line of defence in border villages of Uttarakhand by relaxing tourism-related activities.

The Central government wants to make India’s border villages safe, for which it has mooted the concept of tribal tourism. The first step in the direction will be to free some parts of Uttarakhand from the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system.

Once the ILP system is lifted, the state tourism department would encourage houses in the villages to be developed as homestays which will directly help the village economy. Visitors in border villages would also get to taste tribal cuisine.

The Uttarakhand government has also announced steps to improve critical infrastructure, promote tourism and civilian settlements in the border areas of the state.

It will ensure safety and surveillance of border villages and troops will get additional support and also boost the economy of bordering villages and provide employment.