Uttarakhand revives abandoned border villages as tourist spots 64 years after 1962 evacuation

The state government has announced a tourism drive to develop the deserted villages near the China border in Uttarakhand, which were cleared after the 1962 war. Infrastructure and promotional plans aim to attract visitors while preserving the area’s heritage.

Uttarakhand’s administration unveiled a new initiative to convert the long‑abandoned hamlets along the Sino‑Indian frontier into regulated tourist destinations. The villages, emptied in the aftermath of the 1962 Indo‑China war, have remained largely uninhabited for more than six decades.

The plan includes building basic amenities such as road access, signage, and eco‑friendly lodging, while ensuring that any development does not compromise the sensitive border environment. Officials said the move seeks to boost local economies, generate employment, and showcase the region’s natural beauty and cultural legacy.

Tourism officials highlighted that the project will be coordinated with the defence establishment to maintain security protocols. A pilot phase will start with a handful of villages, after which the model could be expanded to other deserted settlements in the state’s border belt.

Stakeholders, including local community groups and heritage experts, have been consulted to balance preservation with visitor influx. The initiative reflects a broader shift in India’s border‑area policies, aiming to blend strategic interests with sustainable development.