Lok Sabha Question No. 3634 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: Promotion of Tourism in Ladakh
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Shankar Lalwani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. +3634 ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025

## PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN LADAKH

## +3634. SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  tourism  sector  is  flourishing  in  the  Union  Territory  of Ladakh; and
- (b) if so, the details of the new initiatives taken by the Government to promote tourism in the Union Territory of Ladakh?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM            (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (b): Yes, tourism sector is developing rapidly in the Union Territory of Ladakh . Development and Promotion of tourist destinations and tourism products  is  primarily  undertaken  by  the  respective  State  Government / Union  Territory  (UT)  Administration. However,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism through its central sector schemes of ' Swadesh Darshan (SD) ' ,  Swadesh Darshan 2 . 0  (D2 . 0) ' , ' Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)'-a sub -scheme of Swadesh Darshan, ' Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage  Augmentation  Drive ( PRASHAD )' and ' Assistance  to  Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development ' (ACA) complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure  development  by  extending  financial assistance  to  the  State  Governments / UT  Administrations;  subject  to availability  of  funds,  adherence  to  scheme  guidelines,  submission  of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) by the State Government etc .

The details of  the  projects  sanctioned  under  Swadesh Darshan, SD

2 . 0 and ACA scheme in the UT Administration of Ladakh is Annexed .

Ministry  of  Tourism  as  part  of  its  ongoing  endeavour,  promotes various  tourism  destinations  and  products  of  India  in  a  holistic  manner, through  various  initiatives  including  promotional  events,  assistance  to State  Governments / UT Administrations  for  organising  fairs  and  festivals, participation in exhibitions, websites, social media etc .

Further, the Union Territory Administration of Ladakh has taken the following steps to promote tourism in Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh:

- i. The  Ladakh  Homestay  policy  2023,  supports  rural  households  in setting up homestays by providing kits containing 29 essential items. The policy also  offers  skill  training  through  State  Institute  of  hotel management (SIHM). Priority is given to the unemployed households, ex-servicemen,  women  self-help  groups,  and  new  entrepreneurs, excluding existing tourism businesses.
- ii. To  regulate  adventure  tourism  in  Ladakh,  the  'Registration  and Renewal Guidelines for Adventure Tour operators and guidelines for Adventure Activities' align with the National Strategy for Adventure Tourism 2022, covering 18 activities focused on safety, sustainability, and eco-friendliness. Adventure Tour Operators (ATOs) must  register  every  three  years  for  a  fee  of  Rs.3,000  and  follow safety protocols based on risk categories.
- iii. The Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) Incentive Scheme 2024 of UT of Ladakh,  encourages  the  installation  and  operation  of  decentralized STPs in hotels and guesthouses with 1-19 rooms in Ladakh. It aims to minimize environmental impact by ensuring proper  wastewater treatment,  protecting  local  water  bodies,  enhancing  public  health, and supporting sustainable tourism.
- iv. The  Ladakh  Tourist  Police  Unit  was  established  in  2021.  Tourist Police personnel are stationed at key tourist spots such as Khardung La, Chang La, and Pangong Tso to assist visitors. They also conduct rescue  operations to evacuate  stranded  tourists from trekking routes.
5. *******

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.+3634 ANSWERED ON 11 . 08 . 2025 REGARDING PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN LADAKH RAISED BY SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI

Details of Projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme:

(Rs. In Crore)

| S . No .   | Circuit/ SanctionYear       | Name of the Project                                                                                                       | Amount Sanctioned   |
|------------|-----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
| 1 .        | Himalayan Circuit 2016 - 17 | Development of Jammu - Srinagar - Pahalgam - Bhagwati Nagar - Anantnag - Salamabad Uri - Kargil - Leh                     | 77 . 33             |
| 2 .        | Himalayan Circuit 2016 - 17 | Development of Tourist facilities at Anantnag - Pulwama - Kishtwar - Pahalgam - Zanskar Padum - Daksum - Ranjit Sagar Dam | 86 . 39             |
| 3 .        | Himalayan Circuit 2016 - 17 | Development of Tourist Facilities at Gulmarg - Baramulla - Kupwara - Kargil - Leh                                         | 91 . 84             |

Details  of  projects  sanctioned  under  Assistance  to  Central  Agencies  for Tourism Infrastructure Development Scheme:

(Rs. In Lakh)

| Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                                                                                       | Amount Sanctioned   |
|-----------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
| 2020 - 21       | Sound & Light Show at Leh, Ladakh & Water Screen Projection MultimediaShow at Tourist Facilitation Centre, Kargil, Ladakh | 2321 . 99           |

Details of Projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2 . 0 Scheme

(Rs. In Crore)

| S . No .   | UT     | Destination   | Name of the Experience                         | Sanctioned Cost   | Sanctioned Year   |
|------------|--------|---------------|------------------------------------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
| 1 .        | Ladakh | Leh           | Julley Leh Bio diversity Park                  | 23 . 16           | 2023 - 24         |
| 2 .        | Ladakh | Kargil        | Exploring LOC and Hundarman village Experience | 11 . 91           | 2023 - 24         |