The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) announced “JADUNG”, the first Village from the Tibet Border which is an old border village in Uttarkashi, as the next tourism destination in the state of Uttarakhand. The destination also becomes the first of the five villages that will not just be rehabilitated (the locals were displaced during the Indo-China War) but will also help create this area into a sustainable Tourism destination for Astro Tourism, Trekking, Hiking, Nature Camps and Tribal Culture among others.
A village frozen in time and nestled amidst the breathtaking Himalayas, Jadung is the first village at the Indo-Tibet border and boasts of unmatched scenic beauty with its snow-capped mountains to lush green valleys. Located at an altitude of approximately 3800 meters and around 45-50 kilometres from Harsil, Jadung offers a picture-perfect landscape. The village is a testament to the state's efforts to develop border villages through sustainable and responsible tourism, which aligns with the Central Government's vision of creating vibrant border villages.
Satpal Maharaj, Honourable Minister of Tourism, Irrigation, Culture, PWD, Government of Uttarakhand, while flagging the first FAM tour to Jadung, expressed his excitement about the new initiative, stating, "We are delighted to announce 'JADUNG' as Uttarakhand’s latest tourism destination. This is a great opportunity for visitors to experience the unique culture and beauty of Uttarakhand. We are committed to promoting responsible and sustainable tourism in the state, and with the introduction of Astro Tourism we hope that this initiative will benefit the local communities and further help promote the state's tourism sector."
The first Fam tour of 25 special invitees consists of various adventure tourism industry experts, Astro tourism experts, Media and officials from the Ministry of Tourism & UTDB. The team will also visit Harsil, Bagori, Mukhwa, Dharali, and Nelong Valley in Uttarkashi district Uttaranchal.
Jadung offers visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Himalayas and the traditional culture of Uttarakhand. In addition to its natural beauty, Jadung is a hub for special interest tourism. Astro tourism enthusiasts can marvel at the stunning night sky, which is free from light pollution and offers an excellent opportunity for stargazing. UTDB's involvement in this initiative will not only help to promote tourism in Jadung but also encourage sustainable tourism practices in the region, leading to the conservation of the local environment, culture and community.
Sachin Kurve, IAS, Secretary of Tourism and CEO of UTDB, Government of Uttarakhand, commented “Visitors to Jadung can enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience that combines stunning natural beauty, thrilling adventure activities, rich cultural heritage and eco-friendly tourism options. With this initiative, we aim to showcase the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of Uttarakhand and create more opportunities for tourism in the state. The board has also been working towards developing and promoting lesser-known destinations in Uttarakhand, such as Jadung, towards reducing the pressure on popular tourist destinations and promoting sustainable tourism across the state.”
For adventure lovers, Jadung and its surroundings offer an array of activities such as trekking, hiking, and Bird Watching as well as nature camps. Visitors can also immerse themselves in the local culture by experiencing the tribal culture and traditional architecture.
Overall, Jadung offers a rare opportunity for travellers to explore a destination that retains its natural charm and remains untouched by commercialisation. UTDB's initiatives to revamp old border villages of India such as Jadung show their commitment to sustainable tourism development in Uttarakhand.
