LEH, Jun 3: In a landmark step towards strengthening border habitation and improving the quality of life in remote frontier regions, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, laid the foundation stone for the Union Territory’s first Model Border Village at Chumur under the Government of India’s ambitious Vibrant Village Programme (VVP).
Situated at an altitude of 16,700 feet along the Indo-China border, Chumur is home to 24 households and a population of 91 people, primarily engaged in Pashmina rearing and production. The project marks the beginning of a transformative development initiative aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of creating strong, self-reliant and prosperous border villages.
The Chumur Model Border Village is the first of its kind in Ladakh and among the pioneering model border villages in India. It has been designed around four key pillars—Infrastructure Development, Employment and Livelihood Generation, All-Weather Functionality, and Civilian-Defence Integration. The project aims to develop Chumur into a self-reliant, climate-resilient, tourism-enabled and economically vibrant settlement.
The foundation-laying ceremony witnessed enthusiastic participation from local residents, youth and senior citizens, reflecting strong community support for the initiative. School children from nearby villages were also brought to the event by the district administration to familiarize them with the concept of Vibrant Villages and inclusive development.
Under the programme, families will receive climate-resilient, south-facing passive solar houses designed to maximize solar heat gain and withstand harsh winters, when temperatures often fall to minus 35 degrees Celsius. Each household will be provided with a residential unit featuring an attached bathroom, an additional room suitable for homestay activities, kitchen garden space, livestock sheds and dedicated fodder storage facilities. The housing units are expected to be completed by September this year, subject to weather conditions.
A major focus of the project is economic empowerment through tourism and local enterprise. Chumur will be developed as a tourism destination on the Korzok-Hanle circuit, with plans for a community-run café, promotion of handicrafts, value-added Pashmina products and skill development programmes. These initiatives are expected to generate sustainable livelihood opportunities and help reverse migration from border regions.
Addressing the gathering, Lt Governor Saxena described the project as a transformative initiative that extends beyond conventional development by enhancing national security, stability and resilience through stronger border settlements. He reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision that border villages should be viewed not as the “last villages” but as the “first villages” of India.
To strengthen food security and livelihood opportunities, a 90×27-foot commercial greenhouse will be established with support from the Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR). The facility will enable year-round vegetable cultivation, supplying both local residents and nearby defence establishments, including the Army and ITBP, thereby fostering stronger civil-defence cooperation.
The village will also feature reliable water supply systems, improved sanitation and wastewater management, renewable energy-based power infrastructure, modern digital connectivity and enhanced winter habitability. A central service core comprising a school, Primary Health Centre, community hall, parks, community café and Tourist Interpretation Centre will provide essential services and support social and economic development.
The Lt Governor acknowledged the vital contributions of the Indian Army, ITBP, local residents and youth in making the initiative a success and expressed gratitude to the security forces for their dedicated service in the region.
Envisioned as a model of sustainable development in high-altitude frontier areas, the Chumur Model Border Village is expected to emerge as a benchmark for border village development across Ladakh and the country.