LEH, Sep 3: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena on Wednesday visited the historic Heritage Village of Hunderman near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kargil to review ongoing initiatives aimed at developing the village as a prominent border and heritage tourism destination.
During the visit, Saxena reviewed the progress of the “Exploring LOC and Hunderman Village Experience” project, which seeks to provide visitors with improved facilities and greater access to the area.
The project includes a LoC viewpoint, parking facility, integrated amenity centre, information panels, walking promenade, landscaping, smart toilets, café, viewing facilities, safety lighting and CCTV surveillance, solar panels, a flag and selfie point, and electric vehicle charging facilities, among other amenities.
The Lieutenant Governor directed officials to complete the ongoing development works by the end of October this year.
Saxena said Hunderman’s unique history, heritage and strategic location, along with its proximity to the LoC, give it significant potential to emerge as a distinctive tourism destination showcasing Ladakh’s borderland history and culture.
“Hunderman is not merely a border village; it is a living symbol of Ladakh’s history, heritage and resilience,” Saxena said, adding that his vision was to make the village, described as the first Indian village on the LoC, accessible to visitors from across the country and abroad.
He stressed that tourism development should also contribute to improving the quality of life of local residents.
The Lieutenant Governor emphasised that the transformation of Hunderman into a border and heritage tourism destination must remain community-centric, with increased tourism generating livelihood opportunities for local people while preserving the village’s distinctive heritage and character.
The development initiative is also aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s broader vision of promoting self-sustainability and inclusivity in remote border areas.
