India’s picturesque northeastern state of Sikkim is embarking on a historic endeavor, transforming its strategically sensitive tri-border region with China and Bhutan into a novel frontier for patriotic tourism. For the first time, the high-altitude zones of Doklam and Cho La, long restricted due to geopolitical sensitivities and military presence, are set to welcome Indian tourists. This ambitious initiative, spearheaded under the nationwide Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan scheme, aims to intertwine breathtaking Himalayan landscapes with a profound journey through modern India’s military heritage and national pride, offering citizens a unique perspective on the nation’s frontier history.
The Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan scheme is a national effort by the central government designed to promote battlefield tourism in areas where India’s defense forces have played pivotal roles. The plan involves developing Doklam, Cho La, and Nathula as part of a larger circuit to attract travelers keen on exploring India’s rich defense heritage. While Nathula has historically been a popular tourist destination in Sikkim, Doklam and Cho La’s inclusion marks a significant shift, opening up previously inaccessible zones that hold immense strategic and historical importance near the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction.
Doklam, perched at an altitude of nearly 10,000 feet, holds a unique and prominent place in modern Indian military history. This remote plateau, located approximately 30 kilometers from Sikkim’s capital, Gangtok, gained international attention in 2017 during a tense seventy-three-day standoff between Indian and Chinese troops. This incident underscored the critical strategic sensitivity of the region, which shares close proximity with Bhutan. Opening this site for Doklam tourism allows Indian citizens to connect directly with a location synonymous with recent geopolitical challenges and the unwavering vigilance of the Indian armed forces.
Similarly, Cho La, another high-altitude mountain pass in East Sikkim, contributes significantly to India’s military narrative. This pass was the site of a border clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the late 1960s and forms part of the same Himalayan ridgeline defining Sikkim’s eastern frontier. Though perhaps less globally known than Doklam, Cho La’s strategic importance is well-documented in military annals. Its inclusion in this new circuit offers a broader canvas for patriotic travel India, ensuring that more sites of national significance become accessible for educational and historical exploration.
The Sikkim government, in close coordination with the Indian Army, Border Roads Organisation, and other relevant agencies, has been diligently preparing these sensitive areas for tourism without compromising national security or environmental sustainability. Essential infrastructure, including rest areas, parking zones, and cafeterias, is nearing completion. The state anticipates welcoming domestic visitors to these rugged regions by the end of September, with strict protocols in place to facilitate safe and controlled access for Indian citizens, especially for purposes of educational and patriotic tourism.
Opening high-altitude zones like Doklam and Cho La to the public presents considerable challenges beyond security. These areas are ecologically fragile, home to unique alpine flora and fauna that require careful preservation. Consequently, the Sikkim government is collaborating with environmental agencies and local communities to ensure that tourism development does not lead to ecological degradation. Strict regulations are expected concerning littering, noise, and crowd management, with potential requirements for tourists to undergo health checks or obtain fitness certificates due to the demanding altitude and remote terrain, and daily visitor limits are under consideration to prevent over-tourism.
This bold move to open Doklam and Cho La symbolizes a significant philosophical shift in how India chooses to preserve and present its military heritage. Rather than maintaining these historically critical regions as inaccessible zones, the central vision is to transform them into living museums where citizens can deeply engage with stories of valor, defense, and national sovereignty. Once fully operational, this new battlefield tourism circuit in Sikkim is expected to set a powerful precedent for similar initiatives across the country, further aligning with the growing global trend of heritage and patriotic travel experiences that offer deeper cultural and historical meaning.
