Lok Sabha Question No. 2241 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Promotion of Tourism in Ladakh
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Dilip Saikia

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. † 2241 ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN LADAKH

## †2241 . SHRI DILIP SAIKIA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the tourism sector is developing rapidly in the Union Territory of Ladakh;
- (b) if so, the initiative taken by the Government to promote tourism in the Union Territory of Ladakh; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM                (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (c): Yes, tourism sector is developing rapidly in the Union Territory of Ladakh.

Promotion and Development of tourism is primarily the responsibility of the concerned  State  Government/UT  Administration,  however,  the  Ministry  of Tourism has taken the following steps to promote tourism in Union Territory

(UT) of Ladakh:

- i. Ministry of Tourism promotes tourism in India through various initiatives including events, social media and campaigns.
- ii. Information on tourist destinations in the country is promoted through the Incredible India Digital Portal.  Also,  Ministry  of  Tourism  has launched the Incredible India Content Hub on the revamped Incredible India  digital  portal  (www.incredibleindia.gov.in).  The  Incredible  India Content  Hub  is  a  comprehensive  digital  repository  of  high-quality images, films, brochures and newsletters which can be easily accessed by  the  industry  stakeholders  (travel  media,  tour  operators,  travel agents) across the globe, required to amplify Incredible India in all their marketing and promotional efforts.
- iii. Ministry  of  Tourism  has  sanctioned  projects  for  the  development  of tourism  related  infrastructure  under  the  Swadesh  Darshan,  Swadesh
4. Darshan 2.0 and Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development Schemes. The details of project sanctioned under  the  aforementioned  scheme  with  components  in  the  UT  of Ladakh are at Annexure.
- iv. During  2019-20,  financial  assistance  has  been  provided  to  the  UT  of Ladakh for organizing 'Losar Festivals' for an amount of Rs.15.00 Lakh under  Domestic  Promotion  &  Publicity  including  Hospitality  (DPPH) Scheme.
- v. Further,  the  Union  Territory  Administration  of  Ladakh  has  taken  the following steps to promote tourism in Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh:
- a. 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.
- b. 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.
- c. 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.
- d. 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.
11. *******

ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.†2241  ANSWERED  ON  09.12.2024  REGARDING  PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN LADAKH RAISED BY SHRI DILIP SAIKIA

## Details of Projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme

|   S. No. | Circuit / Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                                                                                |   Amount Sanctioned (Rs. In Crore) |
|----------|---------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
|        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

| Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                                                                                        |   Amount Sanctioned (Rs. In Lakh) |
|-----------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| 2020-21         | Sound & Light Show at Leh, Ladakh & Water Screen Projection Multimedia Show at Tourist Facilitation Centre, Kargil, Ladakh |                           2321.99 |

## Details of Projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme

|   S. No. | UT     | Destination   | Name of the Experience                         |   Sanctioned Cost (Rs. In Crore) | Date of Sanction   |
|----------|--------|---------------|------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|--------------------|
|        1 | Ladakh | Leh           | Julley Leh Biodiversity Park                   |                            24.89 | 05-03-2024         |
|        2 | Ladakh | Kargil        | Exploring LOC and Hundarman village Experience |                            12.01 | 05-03-2024         |

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