The governor of Himachal Pradesh is urged to permit farming in regions that border China

The Himachal Pradesh government has requested permission from Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla under the Forest Conversation Act (FCA) to begin agricultural operations near the international border, as China has populated the desolate area along the freezing desert bordering India.

Chitkul hamlet is located in the Spiti district and valley of Lahaul, which borders China. The administration of Himachal Pradesh is eager to initiate agricultural endeavors in the border districts in opposition to China’s efforts to populate territories on its territory.

The governor has been asked by the state administration to approve the cultivation of 20,000 acres of unproductive land by farmers. In the districts of Kinnaur, Lahaul, and Spiti that border China, the government intends to provide farmers in the Kalpa and Pooh sub-divisions at least five acres of barren land.

The state horticulture and tribal development minister, Jagat Singh Negi, who represents Kinnaur in the assembly, said, “The state cabinet recently approved relaxing the FCA for agrarian activities and sent the request to the governor for his consent.” The Constitution’s Article 5 permits the tribal territories to loosen FCA regulations in order to increase employment—especially in horticulture—and create revenue from land.

In an attempt to get a favorable result, Negi met with the governor in addition to representatives from the Tribal Advisory Council and the parliamentarians from Pangi, Bharmour, Lahaul, and Spiti.

Despite the fact that there hasn’t been any conflict along the border with China since 1962—when China launched its aggression—the minister said that a lot of activities are taking on across the border. We must be vigilant.

The government intends to implement the dynamic village program in the Kinnaur, Lahaul, and Spiti districts, targeting 76 out of the 210 communities, in an effort to offset China’s dual village initiative. Beginning on February 17, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved ₹4,800 crore in the Union budget for the initiative. ₹2,500 crore of the budget would go toward building road infrastructure along the border.

China is constructing “double-use” border settlements to accommodate both the local populace and the armed forces. According to Indian intelligence services, 628 such dual-use villages have emerged in the border states of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh since 2017 along the 3,448-km Line of Actual Control.

In this border block, the literacy rate is 84.64%. The Spiti border block has a total of 2583 homes. The government will upgrade the medical infrastructure in the tribal areas as part of the thriving village initiative. Few physicians are hesitant to practice in the area because of the difficult terrain and climate. In addition to enhancing connectivity, the government is arranging for mobile dispensaries in isolated areas.

Director General of Police Sanjay Kundu despatched a group of five police commandants from various battalions to the advanced regions in 2020 amid growing tension after the state administration voiced concerns over local youth leaving the border villages. The primary cause of the youth movement, according to the police, was the dearth of amenities in the border regions. The issue was made worse by the border regions’ lack of economic activity as a result of opportunity gaps.

According to Negi, the tribal areas’ needs for infrastructure, including roads, power, and telecommunications networks, need to be reconsidered.

The government of Himachal Pradesh has been pressing for more funding to build the area’s transportation and road infrastructure. It has been suggested that the 17,000-foot Lam Khaga Pass be used to build a road connecting the border regions of Uttarakhand and the state, Brua in Kinnaur and Harshil in Uttarakhand.