The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday signed a $126.42 million loan agreement to promote sustainable and climate-resilient tourism in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Lake region.
The agreement aims to benefit more than 87,000 residents and 2.7 million annual visitors through upgraded infrastructure, improved tourism planning, enhanced sanitation and waste management, and disaster preparedness.
The project targets Tehri Garhwal, one of the state’s most climate-vulnerable and economically disadvantaged districts. Key interventions include climate-resilient infrastructure, nature-based solutions to reduce landslide and flood risks, and inclusive tourism services led by women, youth, and private enterprises.
Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, said the loan supports Uttarakhand’s goal of becoming a diversified, all-weather tourism destination, with Tehri Lake as a priority development area.
Kai Wei Yeo, Officer-in-Charge, ADB India Resident Mission, said the project would generate jobs, diversify income, and build climate resilience, offering a model for sustainable tourism around a hydropower lake.