Government of India and Asian Development Bank signed a loan agreement to promote sustainable and climate-resilient tourism in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Lake region.

About the Project

• The initiative is called the Sustainable, Inclusive, and Climate-Resilient Tourism Development at Tehri Lake Area Project.
• Parties to the Agreement: Singed between  Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
• Implementation Partner: Government of Uttarakhand.
• Funding: $126.42 million from ADB.
• Target Region: Tehri Garhwal District, identified as one of Uttarakhand’s most climate-vulnerable and economically disadvantaged areas.

Objective

• Position Uttarakhand as a diversified, all-weather tourism destination.
• Showcase a model of sustainable tourism anchored around Tehri hydropower lake.
• Enhance climate resilience, job creation, and income diversification in vulnerable hill regions.
  Components of the project
• Tourism Planning & Resilience: Strengthening institutions, policies, and climate-resilient infrastructure, with nature-based solutions to reduce landslide and flood risks, and disaster preparedness measures.
• Inclusive & Sustainable Services: Promoting inclusive tourism through women, youth, and private sector participation, with upgraded sanitation, waste management, and universal access design for persons with disabilities.
• Livelihood & Community Empowerment: Supporting women, youth, and MSMEs through livelihood matching grants, alongside women-led disaster management initiatives in pilot villages to enhance community resilience.

Significance

• Local & Ecological Impact: The project benefits 87,000 residents and 2.7 million visitors, advancing rural development while safeguarding the fragile Himalayan ecology.
• Wider Significance: It offers a replicable model for climate-resilient tourism in India, aligning with SDGs on climate action, gender equality, and sustainable growth.

About Tehri lake

• Tehri Lake is one of Asia’s largest man-made lakes, created by the Tehri Dam on the Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand.
• Location: Tehri Garhwal district, amidst the Himalayan ranges at an altitude of about 1,700 meters.
• Tourism Significance: It is emerging as a hub for water sports, eco-tourism, and adventure activities, drawing both domestic and international tourists.
• Strategic Importance: Besides tourism, the lake plays a key role in hydropower generation, irrigation, and water supply, contributing to Uttarakhand’s development.

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