The Sikkim government is working to open the Doklam region and the adjoining Chola area to tourists as part of the central government’s Ranbhoomi Tourism initiative, which aims to commemorate sites of military valour.
C.S. Rao, additional chief secretary of Sikkim’s tourism department, confirmed to this newspaper that the state is collaborating with the Indian Army to open the region to civilian visitors. “We are planning to send tourists to Doklam and nearby Chola,” said Rao, adding that planning and infrastructure development are under way.
The initiative falls under the Union tourism ministry’s battlefield tourism project, launched to open “areas of historical importance and valour for the citizens of India which signify the sacrifice of the Indian Armed Forces”.
Doklam, which witnessed a tense 73-day standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in 2017, lies at the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction and has since remained under strict security restrictions. Its strategic significance is matched by its rugged beauty, and authorities now see an opportunity to promote responsible tourism.
To facilitate the new tourism route, the government is developing infrastructure such as parking bays, restrooms and waiting rooms. “We need to develop parking facilities, restrooms and waiting rooms and the same is being undertaken in both the places,” Rao added, without committing to a launch date.
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The army is also building infrastructure in the region, while access to Doklam and Chola is likely to be provided through the existing tourist corridors of Changu Lake and Nathu-la.
Sources indicated that tourists might not be permitted to approach the border directly but could be offered aerial views of the sensitive area. “The final decision will be taken in consultation with the central officials and the army,” said one official.
Located within a 30km radius of Changu Lake, both Doklam and Chola are expected to generate considerable interest. “These places have great tourism potential,” said the official.
The state government has already conducted a motorbike expedition to assess the terrain and explore feasibility. A senior travel agent in Gangtok remarked: “Places like Gurudongmar, Changu and Nathu-la attract large numbers of tourists. Doklam and Chola could add a new dimension to Sikkim’s travel circuit.”
With Sikkim already positioned as one of India’s premier mountain destinations, tourism stakeholders believe the addition of these high-security zones could provide an unparalleled experience blending patriotism, geography and history.
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