Last Updated:
Garbyang Village homestay: The livelihood of half a dozen villages on this route depends on tourism. They will directly benefit from this move of the army. The local people not only provide help to the army when needed, they are also always their eyes and ears.
The Indian Army has set up tent-based home stays in Garbyang, a border village in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. This village is adjacent to the border of China and Nepal. From here goes the route to Mount Kailash, Lipulekh Pass, Om Mountain and Adi Kailash. The Army has handed over these home stays to the local committee, so that the villagers will now be able to conduct tourism themselves. This step will not only promote frontier tourism but will also provide livelihood to the people.
The aim of this initiative of the Army is not only to strengthen tourism but also to strengthen border security. The presence of local people in the border areas is considered very important. They not only become the eyes and ears of the army but also cooperate when needed. Through these home stays, vibrancy will return to the villages, due to which the areas that have become vacant as ‘ghost villages’ will be able to be repopulated.
Garbyang is called the ‘gateway to Shivanagari Gunji’. Devotees and trekkers passing through here will now be able to stay in these new home stays. This place is situated between the snowy peaks of the Himalayas and beautiful valleys. This will become a new attraction center for adventure tourism lovers. Tourists will get to experience local culture, traditional food and mountain life in these tents.
The villagers will get direct employment from these home stays handed over by the army. The rural committee will book and operate them. The rate for a home stay has been fixed at Rs 1000 per person per night, which also includes local food. This will not only bring economic development but the young generation will also return to their villages. This initiative can become an example of self-reliant rural economy.
The Army’s home stay model in Garbyang offers a wonderful combination of tourism, culture and patriotism. Every tourist coming here will not only see the natural beauty of the Himalayas but will also experience the liveliness of the Indian villages situated on the border. This initiative will give a new identity to tourism in the border areas and border security will also get a new dimension of local cooperation.
