Sikkim Chief Minister Inaugurates Cho La and Dok La for Tourism Under Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan Initiative
On Tuesday, Sikkim's Chief Minister, Prem Singh Tamang, inaugurated the tourist access to Cho La and Dok La, two border locations of strategic importance, under the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan program.
The Chief Minister stated that this development is part of a broader plan to enhance border regions by promoting tourism responsibly, thereby bolstering infrastructure and providing economic opportunities in remote areas. The Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative is a collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Tourism, designed to highlight India's border heritage and historical battlefields while encouraging socio-economic advancement in frontier communities.
In his remarks, Tamang emphasized the alignment of Sikkim's government with the Indian government's Vibrant Villages Programme, which prioritizes the development of the most remote villages first. He pointed out that the state's border areas are experiencing swift progress due to the collaborative efforts of both central and state bodies.
"Our focus is on developing the last village first," Tamang stated. "Thanks to the Vibrant Villages Programme, border regions are seeing development. With the backing of the Government of India, the Indian Army, and the Tourism Department, Cho La and Dok La have been made accessible today under Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan."
The Chief Minister expressed his appreciation to the Government of India, the Indian Army, and the Tourism Department for their persistent support. He also committed to further enhancing the infrastructure in these regions to ensure tourism is sustainable and secure.
Tamang also extended thanks to the Indian Army for organizing the Supercar Rally in the area and acknowledged the contributions of GOC Mr. Rathore, his team, and the organizing committee for their efforts in promoting tourism and improving connectivity.
The decision to open Cho La and Dok La to tourists is expected to significantly enhance border tourism, improve connectivity, and contribute to the overall development of Sikkim's border areas.
