SRINAGAR: The Siachen glacier, the world’s highest battle ground, and Galwan Valley, where Indian and Chinese troops were involved in deadly clash in 2020, in Ladakh Union Territory would be developed as new tourist attractions in the cold desert.
“Siachen and Galwan are also being developed to promote tourism. It will offer tourists a unique opportunity to witness the unmatched natural beauty as well as the spirit of courage and sacrifice associated with Ladakh’s frontier regions,” Ladakh UT Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta said during a felicitation programme organised by Bharat Vikas Parishad in Jammu yesterday.
Siachen glacier is the world’s highest battleground with troops of India and Pakistan in an eyeball-to-eyeball situation. It is located in the Karakoram Range, at an altitude of around 20,000 feet, and is the highest militarised zone globally.
The Galwan Valley in Ladakh witnessed fierce clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in June 2020.
At least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers were killed in the first deadly military confrontation between the two countries since 1975.
According to the tourism stakeholders, the development of Siachen and Galwan Valley as tourist attractions would boost tourism in Ladakh UT, which is the main backbone of the UT’s economy.
LG Gupta said Ladakh is far more beautiful than Switzerland and has the potential to emerge as the world’s most sought-after tourism destination.
“My administration will promote adventure tourism, spiritual tourism and religious tourism and winter tourism in Ladakh, positioning the Union Territory as a complete tourism package that blends thrill, tranquillity and faith,” he said.
Gupta, who is senior J&K BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of erstwhile J&K state, took over as Lt Governor of Ladakh UT on July 18, 2025.
Gupta succeeds Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), who took over reins as Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh on February 19, 2023.
Brig (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) had succeeded RK Mathur, who was appointed as first Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh in 2019, after the abrogation of Article 370 and downgrading and bifurcation of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state into two UTs --- Jammu and Kashmir (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature).