One of the biggest theatres of Kargil war will now be accessible to tourists. The union home ministry has lifted restrictions on visiting the picturesque Turtuk near the line of control (LoC).
On Friday, the ministry relaxed the Protected Area Permit Regime (PAPR) to enable foreigners to visit Turtukin Nubra valley, situated on the famous Silk Route.
“The opening of Turtuk area for foreign tourists would give Nubra a prominent place on the world tourism map. The decision would go a long way in bringing the virgin locales of the region into limelight. We appreciate the role of home minister P Chidambaram for taking personal interest in this matter,”said Nawang Rigzin Jora, J&K’s minister for
tourism and culture.
During the Kargil war in 1999, Pakistan troopers occupied an area of one kilometre on the ridges overlooking Turtuk village, making it the only sector in Leh to be taken over by the enemy. The Indian army had to move from Leh through the Khardungla pass, at an altitude of 18,380 ft, to evict the intruders.
“Earlier, tourists were allowed to travel in the PAPR area in groups of four, but the new rules will allow them to go in twos,” said Jora. Visitors will also be allowed to travel along the banks of the Pangong Lake, right up to the villages of Man and Merak. Earlier, they were allowed up to Spangmik.
According to Jora, said the route along Pangong lake from Merak to Chushul and then across Tsaga La, Tsaga to Loma Bend would be considered for opening when the place gets the required infrastructure to host tourists.
“A large number of foreigners are already visiting Nubra valley for Bactrain camel safaris and the hot sulphur springs of Panamik,” he said. The cold desert of Ladakh is one of the most sought-after destinations for foreigners. The region got 500 visitors in 1974, the year it was opened for tourism, but now hosts 75,000 people. The influx has had an effect on the season too. The traditional July-August season now stretches from May till October end, all because of the thousands of visitors.
“We hope the people of Nobra and Turtuk also benefit from the influx. The relaxed norms will go a long way in luring tourists to this beautiful place,” said Tsering Dorjay, chief executive councilor of the Ladakh (Leh) Autonomous Hill DevelopmentCouncil.
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