Reflecting its evolving philosophy of border control, the Narendra Modi government is slowly opening up areas along the critical Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China for adventure sports and trekking as part of a larger plan to establish its own presence and trail.
The Army has just concluded adventure sports activities with civilians along the LAC in areas that were previously closed off to civilians. These activities were held from end of August to November, covering areas from Arunachal Pradesh to Sikkim.
From mountaineering and white-water expeditions to treks of more than 700 km, both civilians and groups from the local regions participated in the three-month-long activities, Army sources said.
Essentially, this marks an evolution of India’s philosophy towards the border regions and its management, especially at the LAC. From earlier being “inaccessible” to civilians, they are now slowly being open to the outside world.
These steps come even as the government focuses on checking the acute problem of border migration along the LAC by providing better infrastructure than before.
“Due to security concerns, traditionally we would never open these areas to civilians and tourists. However, it is important that now we are giving access,” Lt. Gen. Deependra Singh Hooda (retired), former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Army’s Northern Command.
The adventure activities also come after the government’s infrastructure push along the LAC in Arunachal and Sikkim, the decision to open up parts of Siachen glacier to tourists in 2019, and the Border Road Organisation’s plan to set up cafés for tourists at the frontiers in Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Nagaland amongst other border states.
“Looking at it holistically, this seems part of a deft strategy to stake India’s claim to border areas in a non-combative way and show presence,” said a defence analyst who didn’t want to be identified.
Expeditions and adventure trips not only increase knowledge about these places within the country, but they also increase cross-cultural contact and give strong proof of these parts being an integral part of India, the analyst added.
Sources explained that the Chinese started building villages along the LAC to establish and showcase the control over their side of the border or in territories held by them for years.
First of the initial tactics of the Chinese used to be to leave behind packets of chips, juices and even cigarettes in the Indian claimed areas of the LAC to establish their presence, they said. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) also used to paint rocks with their flag to showcase their presence.
Over time, the Indian Army started employing the same tactics and taking pictures and videos of their patrols which came handy during border meetings, the sources said.
Expeditions not new
“While making the border areas accessible to tourists and civilians isn’t necessarily a new policy, it is now taking place on a larger scale due to better infrastructure,” Lt. Gen Shokin Chauhan (retired), former GoC 8 Mountain Division Ladakh and D-G Assam Rifles.
It will be correct to say that there is an additional focus on these activities, Hooda added.
The Army started treks for civilians in Siachen in the early 2000s besides some areas along the LAC. The idea was simple — to stake claim over the far-flung areas of the borders by having a presence. Especially given that they remain uninhabited for most of the year, Chauhan explained. “This is Indian land, and we must own it. No question of the Chinese taking it.”
These measures also come at a time when China has been building villages on the eastern side of the LAC across Arunachal Pradesh to lay claim to the territory.
“China’s building villages near LAC shows that it is essential to have the presence of your own citizens in these border areas to stake a claim,” said Lt. Gen. Hooda.
So, India carrying out mountaineering expeditions, enhancing tourist accessibility, and maintaining grazing grounds, all help to bolster its claim through civilian presence at the LAC, he explained.
Adventure tourism & employment opportunity
Apart from the strategic purposes, the adventure activities organised by the Army are also significant for local economies, employment, and the adventure tourism sector.
“The campaign has generated a buzz in the adventure tourism circuit and has improved awareness about the potential of adventure tourism in the North-East,” an Army source said, adding that it also reflected positive “civil-military” relations during the three months at the LAC in the region.
Focus on adventure tourism can also boost employment opportunities and the economy in these regions, providing a sustainable model of development for the communities in the border regions.
Active participation and cooperation between states and the Army and the inclusivity shown in this initiative, wherein both men and women, local talent as well as enthusiasts from varied places took part, is a sign of the changing times and a bright future for the North-East, the sources added.
