The initiative targets Tehri Garhwal, benefiting 87,000 residents and 2.7 million visitors with improved tourism, sanitation, waste management, disaster readiness, and eco-friendly infrastructure
New Delhi
The Government of India has signed a $126.4 million loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to boost sustainable and climate-resilient tourism in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Lake region. The project aims to promote rural development, strengthen infrastructure, and improve livelihoods in one of the state’s most climate-vulnerable areas.
The initiative targets Tehri Garhwal district, aiming to benefit more than 87,000 residents and 2.7 million annual visitors. It will focus on better tourism planning, upgraded sanitation and waste management, disaster preparedness, and eco-friendly infrastructure.
The agreement was signed by Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, and Kai Wei Yeo, Officer-in-Charge of ADB’s India Resident Mission. Mukherjee said the project aligns with Uttarakhand’s goal of becoming a diversified, all-weather tourism destination, with Tehri Lake identified as a priority. Yeo added that the project is a model of sustainable tourism anchored around a hydropower lake, designed to create jobs, diversify incomes, and build climate resilience.
Key interventions include climate-resilient infrastructure, institutional strengthening, and nature-based solutions to reduce landslide and flood risks. The project also emphasises inclusive growth, introducing livelihood grants for women, youth, and micro and small enterprises. Universal access design, including facilities for persons with disabilities, and a women-led disaster risk management programme in pilot villages are also planned.
The project builds upon ADB’s earlier tourism initiatives in Uttarakhand and other states. By linking tourism with hydropower zoning and sustainable land use, it is expected to set a global example of balancing development with environmental responsibility.