Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the first model border village at Chumur, located at an altitude of 16,700 feet along the India-China border. This is the first project of its kind in the region and aims to boost infrastructure, employment, all-weather connectivity, and civil-defence integration.
Project Details
The initiative seeks to transition the local population from a largely nomadic lifestyle to a secure, permanent settlement in this remote frontier area. Chumur currently has 24 households with 91 residents, all engaged in goat rearing for pashmina production.
Housing and Facilities
Under the program, families will receive climate-resilient, south-facing passive solar houses designed to maximize solar heat gain and protect against harsh winters when temperatures drop to -35 degrees Celsius, according to a Ladakh government statement. Each household will get a residential unit with an attached bathroom, an extra room for homestay activities, kitchen garden space, livestock sheds, and fodder storage. The houses are expected to be completed by September, subject to weather conditions.
Agriculture and Livelihood
To enhance food security and livelihoods, a 90 x 27 feet commercial greenhouse will be established with support from the Defence Institute of High-Altitude Research (DIHAR) for year-round vegetable cultivation. The produce will cater to local needs and supply nearby defence establishments, including the Army and ITBP, creating a sustainable market and promoting civil-defence cooperation.
Community Infrastructure
A central service core comprising a school, primary health centre (PHC), community hall, parks, community café, and tourist interpretation centre (TIC) will provide essential services and strengthen social and economic life in the village.
Vibrant Village Program
A total of 10 such border villages will be developed in the first phase of the Vibrant Village Program. Speaking on the occasion, Saxena said, "Chumur, owing to its strategic location along the India–China border, has been selected as Ladakh’s first model border village under the Vibrant Village Program, a dream project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has consistently emphasized that border villages are not the 'last villages' but the 'first villages' of India."
