In a groundbreaking effort to enhance tourism and showcase some of the most inhospitable battlefields in India, the Indian Army has announced plans to open the Siachen Glacier, Kargil, and Galwan Valley to tourists. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi made the announcement during a lecture titled “Role and Contribution of Indian Army in Securing India’s Growth Story,” which was part of the General BC Joshi Memorial Lecture Series at Savitribai Phule Pune University.
General Dwivedi emphasized the Army’s pivotal role in reshaping the narrative surrounding Jammu and Kashmir, transforming it from a zone of conflict to one of tourism and adventure. He pointed out that Jammu and Kashmir holds significant potential for tourism growth, particularly with a new government having assumed office in the region last month. “The transformative potential of tourism is immense, and we have seen an exponential rise in travelers visiting Jammu and Kashmir in recent times. We have identified 48 areas for promoting tourism, and with targeted initiatives, we can potentially double our tourist numbers within the next five years,” he stated.
To facilitate this growth, the Army is also focused on promoting adventure activities and providing specialized training to tour organizers and operators, thereby boosting visitor numbers to border areas. “Upskilling locals in mountaineering and related activities is a key part of our training program,” General Dwivedi explained. This initiative includes programs like the Trans-Himalayan trek and the ‘Soul of Steel’ trek in Uttarakhand, as well as the opening of the Siachen Glacier trek to the public.
In addition to adventure tourism, the Army has decided to allow tourists to visit significant battlefields, including Kargil and Galwan Valley. “We are opening battlefields, including Kargil and Galwan, for tourists to provide them with a first-hand experience of such historic sites,” General Dwivedi noted.
The Siachen Glacier, located in the Karakoram mountain range in Ladakh, is known as the world’s highest and coldest battlefield. Kargil, also situated in Ladakh, was the scene of the 1999 conflict between India and Pakistan, while the Galwan Valley was the site of a deadly clash between Indian and Chinese troops in June 2020.
General Dwivedi reiterated the Army’s commitment to enhancing adventure tourism opportunities and promoting the unique experiences that these historic and strategically significant locations have to offer. By opening these sites to tourists, the Army aims to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of India’s military history and the challenges faced in these rugged terrains.
