Uttarakhand’s Mountain Tourism Receives Central Government Support of ₹284 Crore

Dehradun: The Central Government has allocated ₹284 crore to promote mountain tourism in Uttarakhand, the Union Tourism Minister, Gajendra Shekhawat, informed Parliament during the ongoing winter session of the Lok Sabha.

This financial assistance aims to –

• Strengthen tourism infrastructure
• Develop new tourist destinations
• Increase employment opportunities
• Boost the state’s economy

Since 2015-16, over ₹284 crore has been released by the Central Government for various tourism development schemes in Uttarakhand.

Parliamentary Update on Uttrakhand Mountain Tourism Schemes

During a discussion triggered by an unstarred question from Nainital MP Ajay Bhatt, the Union Tourism Minister highlighted that Himalayan states have received significant investments under schemes such as Swadesh Darshan, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, PRASAD, CBDD, and SASCI.

• Total allocation for Himalayan regions: ₹1,726.74 crore
• Funds released so far: ₹1,200.46 crore

Key Projects Funded in Uttarakhand

Several major projects have been approved and partially implemented over the years:

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Additional projects 

• Champawat Tea Garden Experience
• Gunji Rural Tourism Cluster, Pithoragarh
• Mana and Jadung Village Vibrant Village projects
• Heritage circuit development in Kumaon region
• Adventure tourism at Tehri Lake

Impact on Tourism and Local Economy

These investments are expected to –

• Enhance tourist experiences in Himalayan regions
• Promote adventure, cultural, and rural tourism
• Generate employment opportunities for local communities
• Strengthen Uttarakhand’s position as a premier mountain tourism destination

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