New Delhi: A tiny settlement of just 91 residents in eastern Ladakh is set to become India’s first Model Border Village, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to strengthen habitation and economic activity in strategically important frontier regions.
On Wednesday, Vinai Kumar Saxena laid the foundation stone for the project in Chumur, located at an altitude of 16,700 feet in Ladakh’s Changthang region near the India-China border.
The initiative is being implemented under the Vibrant Village Programme, which aims to transform remote frontier settlements into self-reliant, climate-resilient and economically vibrant communities. Chumur is the first village in Ladakh to be selected under the programme.
Situated close to the Line of Actual Control, Chumur consists of only 24 households, most of which depend on Pashmina goat rearing for their livelihood. Despite its small population, the village occupies an important position in the government’s broader strategy to strengthen border communities and discourage migration from remote high-altitude regions.
Under the project, all 24 households will receive new climate-resilient homes equipped with thermally insulated walls designed to withstand extreme weather conditions. Each house will also include an additional room that can function as a homestay, creating new income opportunities through tourism. Officials expect the housing component of the project to be completed by September 2026, subject to weather conditions.
Beyond housing, the initiative will focus on improving infrastructure, boosting tourism, generating livelihoods and supporting local economic activities such as Pashmina production and traditional handicrafts.
Launched in 2023, the Vibrant Village Programme seeks to improve living standards in villages located along India’s northern borders. The scheme was introduced to address concerns over population decline in frontier areas, where harsh climatic conditions, limited connectivity and fewer economic opportunities have encouraged migration.
As India’s first Model Border Village project gets underway, Chumur is expected to serve as a template for similar initiatives across Ladakh. The success of the programme will ultimately be measured not only by new infrastructure but also by its ability to sustain communities in some of the country’s most remote and strategically significant regions.
