Bartering with Tibet closed since Covid

Pratibha Chauhan

Residents of border villages near Shipki La, a mountain pass along China in Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur district, have demanded the promotion of border tourism, hoping it would not only improve infrastructure but also provide an economic push to the remote region.

Shipki La used to serve as an ancient trade route with China, but it lies closed after the Covid outbreak in 2020. Several traders, including Jeevan Lal of Namgiya village, who traded through barter system, said they were yet to collect dues for 2019 from their Chinese counterparts.

“We will approach the authorities to explore the potential of promoting border tourism around the 18,599-foot Shipki La, an area historically significant for trade with Tibet,” said Hishey Negi, president of the Indo-China Trade Association via Shipki La.

Hishey said Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi’s announcement on plans to open border areas such as the Tiger Hill battlefield for tourism had offered hope to the Kinnaur people of a similar initiative for Shipki La. “We will approach the Army through the state government… The step will help take tourism to the interiors of tribal Kinnaur, bringing rich dividends for the residents,” he said.

The trade through Shipki La was allowed between June 1 and November 30. The local administration and the Industries Department would issue permits to the traders of border villages, mainly Namgiya, Chuppan, Nako and Chango. The goods brought from China were in huge demand, especially during the Lavi fair. Himachal shares a 240-km-long boundary with China—160 km in Kinnaur and 80 km in Lahaul & Spiti. The trade through Shipki La has gradually increased in volume, from Rs 7.32 crore in 2014 to Rs 59.21 crore in 2017. It stood at Rs 9.72 crore in 2015, Rs 8.59 crore in 2016 and Rs 8.59 crore in 2018. It declined to Rs 3.05 crore in 2019.