Sikkim has opened two former conflict zones, Doklam and Cho-La, to tourists under the Centre’s Bharat Rannbhoomi Darshan initiative, eight years after the 2017 India-China standoff at Doklam. The project, aimed at promoting battlefield tourism, combines historical significance with local livelihood opportunities.
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang flagged off vehicles and motorcycles from Gangtok, marking the ceremonial opening. Doklam, at 13,780 feet in the Chumbi Valley, gained prominence during the 2017 standoff when India intervened to protect Bhutan’s territorial claims. Cho-La, a 1967 conflict site at 17,780 feet, is accessible via all-wheel-drive vehicles from Tamzey.
The initiative is part of the Vibrant Village Programme and has involved the Army in constructing restrooms, cafeterias, and parking facilities. Alongside Nathu-La, these sites now form a trio of border tourism attractions, offering visitors a mix of history, scenic Himalayan landscapes, and regulated adventure tourism while highlighting the sacrifices of India’s armed forces.
