In a significant move towards sustainable rural development, the Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a landmark loan agreement worth over Rs. 11,000 crores to transform the Tehri Lake region in Uttarakhand into a climate-resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive tourism destination.
The agreement was signed in New Delhi between Ms. Juhi Mukherjee (2007-batch IAS officer), Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and Mr. Kai Wei Yeo, Officer-in-Charge, India Resident Mission, ADB.
Project to Benefit Over 87,000 Residents and 27 Lakh Annual Tourists
Located in the climate-vulnerable Tehri Garhwal district, the Tehri Lake region sits 5,700 feet above sea level and is home to the man-made reservoir formed by the Tehri Dam on the Bhagirathi River. The area attracts nearly 2.7 million visitors annually and is now set to undergo a major transformation.
The ADB-funded initiative will directly benefit more than 87,000 local residents, while providing improved services and infrastructure for tourists through:
- Comprehensive tourism planning
- Upgraded transport and public amenities
- Enhanced sanitation and solid waste management
- Disaster preparedness and climate adaptation measures
Key Features: Inclusive Growth and Climate Adaptation at the Core
The “Sustainable, Inclusive, and Climate-Resilient Tourism Development” Project aims to balance ecological preservation with tourism-led rural development.
Some of the core interventions include:
- Climate-resilient infrastructure to withstand landslides, floods, and extreme weather
- Nature-based solutions to reduce disaster risks
- Institutional capacity-building for local governance and tourism management
- Inclusive tourism services led by women, youth, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)
In a notable move toward social empowerment, the project also introduces a livelihood matching grant programme, universal accessibility design including for persons with disabilities, and women-led disaster risk management initiatives in pilot villages.
Multisector Model Anchored Around Hydropower Lake
Mr. Yeo of ADB highlighted the importance of this project as a model for sustainable tourism that integrates hydropower infrastructure with environmental conservation and economic diversification. The development around the operational hydropower lake will serve as a blueprint for similar rural tourism projects worldwide.
Ms. Mukherjee reaffirmed that this project aligns with Uttarakhand’s vision of positioning itself as a diversified, all-season tourism destination, helping to create jobs, diversify income sources, and improve climate resilience in one of India’s most ecologically sensitive zones.
Uttarakhand Eyes Global Tourism Map with Strategic Planning
With this high-impact initiative, the Uttarakhand government aims to position the Tehri Lake region as an international tourism hotspot, focusing on sustainability, inclusivity, and smart infrastructure. This project builds upon prior ADB collaborations in Uttarakhand and reflects a growing synergy between India’s rural development priorities and international climate-financing mechanisms.
