Abandoned Since the 1962 War, Jadung Village in Uttarakhand Is Slowly Coming Back to Life
High in Uttarakhand’s remote Nelong Valley, surrounded by stark mountains and silence, lies Jadung — a village that time forgot.
Abandoned after the 1962 Sino-Indian War, Jadung has remained empty for more than six decades. Its stone houses, once home to the Jadh Bhotiya community, stood frozen in a cold-desert landscape near the India–China border. Now, after years of isolation, the village is finally seeing signs of life again.
The Uttarakhand government has begun rehabilitating Jadung, with plans to transform it into a sustainable eco-tourism village under the Centre’s Vibrant Villages Programme.
A Remote Village Shaped by Conflict and Geography
Jadung is located at an altitude of nearly 3,800 metres in the Nelong Valley, within Uttarkashi. The region is classified as a cold desert and remains under the control of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police due to its proximity to the international border.
Following the 1962 conflict, residents were forced to migrate out, and Jadung gradually turned into a ghost village. Since then, no permanent civilian population has returned.
The current rehabilitation effort aims to change that — carefully and gradually.
Restoring Homes, Preserving Identity
The revival of Jadung has begun with its most visible feature: its homes.
In the first phase of development, six dilapidated houses are being renovated and converted into homestays. These structures are being restored using traditional architectural styles, ensuring that development does not erase the village’s cultural character.
The idea is simple — revive the village without modernising it beyond recognition.
Why Tourism Is Central to Jadung’s Revival
Tourism lies at the heart of Jadung’s rehabilitation plan — but not mass tourism.
The project focuses on sustainable, low-impact travel experiences that align with the region’s fragile environment. Planned activities include:
- Hiking and trekking
- Bird-watching
- Astro-tourism, taking advantage of Jadung’s clear skies and minimal light pollution
The village’s isolation, once a disadvantage, is now its biggest strength.
Crores Invested in Infrastructure, Not Overdevelopment
The initial phase of Jadung’s revival has been allocated a budget of ₹3.6 crore. In addition to restoring homes, the government is also planning supporting infrastructure to enhance the visitor experience.
This includes viewing points at Hawabend and Sri Kantha, along with a proposed caravan park at Hindoligad, estimated to cost ₹9.9 crore.
The focus remains on minimal construction that complements the landscape rather than overpowering it.
Locals at the Centre of the Revival
The project is being executed by Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, the nodal agency overseeing construction and development.
An important part of the plan is community involvement. Members of the Jadh Bhotiya community are being trained to manage homestays and tourism-related services, allowing economic benefits to flow directly to local families.
The long-term goal is to encourage reverse migration, bringing people back to a village abandoned since the 1962 conflict.
More Than a Village, a Shift in Border Thinking
Jadung’s revival is about more than tourism.
It reflects a broader shift in how border villages are viewed — not as abandoned outposts, but as living communities that can be revived through careful development and cultural preservation.
After decades of silence, Jadung is no longer just a reminder of the past. It is becoming a symbol of return, resilience, and a new approach to life along India’s Himalayan frontier.
Travel Advisory for Visitors
Travel advisory: Nelong Valley is a restricted border region, and entry — including access to Jadung village — is permitted only with prior approval. Visitors must obtain the necessary permits from the Uttarakhand administration before planning their trip.