$126.4 Million Boost: How Asian Development Bank and India Plan to Turn Tehri Lake into a Climate-Smart Tourism Hub
Tourism in Uttarakhand often struggles with floods, landslides, and fragile infrastructure. Now, with a $126.4 million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Government of India is aiming to transform Tehri Lake into a model of sustainable and climate-resilient tourism.
Key Highlights
- $126.4 million loan agreement signed between India and ADB.
- Focus: Tehri Garhwal, among Uttarakhand’s most climate-vulnerable and economically disadvantaged districts.
- Over 87,000 local residents and 2.7 million annual visitors to benefit.
- Plans include:
- Climate-resilient infrastructure
- Improved sanitation & waste management
- Disaster preparedness & risk reduction
- Inclusive features:
- Women & youth-led livelihood programs
- MSME support via grants
- Universal design for accessibility
- Women-led disaster risk management in pilot villages
Why ADB Is Funding This
ADB sees sustainable tourism as a growth engine for hill states like Uttarakhand—if done right. By:
- Reducing disaster risks around hydropower-based Tehri Lake,
- Generating new jobs and income for women, youth, and local businesses,
- Building eco-friendly infrastructure that attracts tourists year-round,
ADB is betting that Tehri can become a showcase of how climate-smart investments create both prosperity and resilience.
Why It Matters
This project blends tourism, climate action, and rural development—a rare combination. If successful, it could:
- Make Uttarakhand less dependent on seasonal tourism.
- Provide stable jobs and inclusive opportunities for disadvantaged groups.
- Serve as a blueprint for other climate-vulnerable regions in India and Asia.
With ADB’s backing, Tehri Lake could evolve from a fragile, seasonal spot into a sustainable tourism hub, proving that climate resilience and economic growth can go hand in hand.
Source: Ministry of Finance, PIB
