After Tibet, Ladakh remains the second roof of the world. A plateau perched at a height of above 3000 meters of sea level between the Himalayas and the Karakorum, is no more either forbidden or inaccessible. Rather it has surfaced as one of the most cherished sites of naturalists and tourists who are fascinated by the pristine purity of such regions of earth as are spared the pollution and degradation by wanton intervention of human beings. Ladakh is what we call the sleeping beauty, the undisturbed music of nature and the rhythm of creation. The people of the region, though sparsely inhabiting the plateau, have, over the millennia, developed the most indigenous culture woven round the mythological lore of Sakyamuni the Buddha, the Apostle of Peace. The Buddhist monasteries, the Gompas, the preserved artifacts in their repositories, the meticulous observance of traditional feasts, the chanting of sonorous hymns, the yellow and maroon dress of the people and the cone shaped headgear, everything in Ladakh speaks of indigenousness. What is more, are the simplicity, harmlessness and spiritualism of the people of this barren plateau? Buddhist monks have, over the long centuries, cast the Ladakhi society in a mould that is more spiritual and transcendental. They are hardy mountainous people, whose life is a model of austerity, and faithfulness to the tradition of the land of their birth.
After 1947, when the State became integral part of the Indian Union, Ladakh, unfortunately had to become a frontier region with its border touching on two antagonistic countries. It was a great Indian soldier, General Thimayya, who in 1948-49, battered the otherwise insurmountable and deadly Zoji La and took the enemy by surprise who saw Indian infantry supported by her tank unit on the heights of Machoi and Dras. It took to its heels and thus was opened the historic and strategic Srinagar – Kargil – Leh Road in subsequent years. It remains the main connecting link today though Indian policy planners are now engaged in piercing the Zoji La and thus creating all weather and all year round road connecting Ladakh. Once the two tunnels, Gagan Gir and Zoji La, now under construction are completed and thrown open for vehicular traffic, entire Kargil and Ladakh region, the vast Himalayan plateau, will find a new life, new economy and new development. That day is not far off.
Two very strong factors will become catalyst to the transformation of Ladakh into one of the most prosperous regions in the country. First is the modern all weather and all year round connectivity. Apart from the plan of making it a four-lane highway, the present connectivity is proposed to make way for rail connectivity from Srinagar to Leh and beyond. The second is the strategic position of Ladakh where our forward frontier posts have to be established for the security of the Northern frontier of India. This plan is almost approved in principle and the blue prints are also in hand. Its execution is also on the anvil. This gives an idea of how much importance our policy planners are giving to the security of our frontier that unfortunately remained neglected for many decades in the past just because we lacked objective and pragmatic understanding of the Northern Frontier. The Army has stationed the 14 Corps in Ladakh but defence strategists are planning raising two more corps’ with personnel highly trained in mountain warfare and equipped with most modern weapons and war machine. Indian army supported by the nation is determined to defeat not only the nefarious designs of our enemy but also the forbidding cold and frost of this region.
It is true that for many decades in the past, Ladakh remained forbidden to tourists, first the national tourists and then international tourists. Some restriction had to be imposed for security reasons. However, as we stabilized our position in the sector especially along the long border, the Union and the State government both decided to lift the restrictions partially and allow the tourists, including foreigners to visit Leh. More relaxation was given and more areas to the east of Leh were thrown open to the tourists. With that the influx of Indian as well as foreign tourists began its impact on the economic and social life in Ladakh. The time has come when areas/places in Nubra valley beyond Panamik up to Warshi including Yarma-Gonpa/Yarma-Gonbo Monastery should be thrown open for foreigners as the influx of foreign tourists can be a good source of earnings for the local population and improve economic condition. We are encouraged by the report that local commanders and the Northern Command do not have any objection on security count if foreign tourists are allowed to go to these distances. Ladakhis have always welcomed the foreigners and are reputed for their hospitality to the visitors. The State government as well as the LHDC, both has written to the Home Ministry for throwing the above mentioned areas of Ladakh open to the home and foreign visitors. We want Ladakh to prosper and develop so that it becomes the most cherished tourist spot in the State. Keeping in mind its geographic location and socio-cultural background, Ladakh has the potential to become country’s most sophisticated cultural centre for Buddhist studies, Yoga practices, heritage centre, naturalists’ passion and mountaineer’s nostalgia. Physical as well as theoretical expansion of Ladakh is part of the concept of LHDC.
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