Archive · 14 Nov 2025
Himachal Pradesh Govt Asks Centre To Reopen Trade via Shipki La Pass
The leader of Himachal Pradesh, a state in India, has asked the national government to reopen a special trading route with China called Shipki La.
This route has been closed for a while, but it used to be important for trading goods and for people to visit a holy mountain.
The leader also talked about how they want to let more tourists visit the border area and how important an old fair called the Lavi Fair is for tradition.
They also mentioned wanting to give land to families who don't have any, but they need permission from the national government because it's on forest land.
The leader also said a school will now teach using the national CBSE system.
Himachal Pradesh government has formally requested the central government to reopen trade via the Shipki La pass.
Discussions are also underway to commence the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Shipki La.
The Chief Minister highlighted the success of border tourism at Shipki La, which has attracted over 70,000 tourists.
The state government seeks central approval to provide land to landless families, citing forest laws as a current impediment.
The Chief Minister made an announcement regarding a school in Rampur adopting the CBSE curriculum from the next academic session.
- Who
- Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and state government officials
- What
- Requested the central government to reopen trade through the Shipki La pass and discussed possibilities for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Shipki La.
- When
- Friday, during the closing ceremony of the International Lavi Fair.
- Where
- Rampur, Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh, India.
- Why
- To boost trade, cultural exchange, and tourism, and to facilitate welfare initiatives like land distribution to landless families, which is dependent on central government approval.
State Government's Perspective
Central Government's Authority
Trade and Tourism
State Government's Perspective
The Himachal Pradesh government is actively seeking the reopening of trade through the Shipki La pass and is pursuing the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via the same route. They believe the existing road infrastructure can support this. The Chief Minister also highlighted the success of border tourism initiated at Shipki La, attracting a significant number of tourists.
Central Government's Authority
The central government's permission is required for reopening trade and for facilitating the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Shipki La. The state government's ability to act on issues like forest land distribution is contingent on central government approvals.
Forest Land and Welfare
State Government's Perspective
The state government wants to provide one bigha of land to every landless family but is constrained by central government's Forest Act. The Chief Minister expressed a desire to change forest laws if given the power.
Central Government's Authority
The Forest Act, which governs the use of forest land, is handled by the central government, indicating that the state's ability to allocate forest land for welfare schemes is subject to central government approval.
- Trade Route
- Shipki La Pass
- State
- Himachal Pradesh
- Key Event
- Closing ceremony of the International Lavi Fair
- Location of Fair
- Rampur, Shimla district
- Proposed Activities
- Reopening of trade, Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, border tourism
- Educational Announcement
- Rampur school to follow CBSE curriculum from next academic session
