Imagine attending a nomadic festival along the border of Ladakh and China. Or exploring trails along Uttarakhand's remote Alkapuri glacier.&nbspAll this will soon be possible as the government has decided to develop 17 villages along the border with China as tourist destinations under the Vibrant Villages programme.

The focus of the programme will be on building a better road network and promoting tourism.

Under the &lsquoVibrant Villages Programme&rsquo, more than 2,500 villages in 46 blocks of 19 districts along the northern border in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Ladakh have been identified for comprehensive development. 

The targets under the project include connectivity with all-weather roads, drinking water, electricity (with a focus on solar and wind energy), mobile and internet connectivity, and building tourism hubs. The project will promote social entrepreneurship, and empower youth and women through skill development while leveraging the tourism potential of the areas.

Under the first phase of the plan,&nbsp663 villages will be developed. As a pilot project,&nbsp17 villages (starting with Uttarakhand) near the border with China will be developed into tourism sites.

Villages in Ladakh include Chushul and Karzok in Himachal Pradesh, the villages are Lalung, Gipu, and Charang Khas in Uttarakhand, they are Mana, Niti, Malari, and Gunji in Sikkim, they will be Lachen, Lachung, and Gnathang and in Arunachal Pradesh's villages are Zemithang, Taksing, Chayangtajo, Tuting, and Kibithoo. These will be developed as a pilot project. The emphasis will be on adventure tourism, building a network of homestays, and promoting local festivals and fairs. 

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