BOOSTING TOURISM IN LADAKH

The Ministry of Tourism has taken several steps to boost the tourism sector in Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh, as per details given below:

i.   Sanctioned projects for the development of tourism related infrastructure under the ‘Swadesh Darshan’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ Schemes.  The details of projects sanctioned under the above-mentioned schemes with components in the UT of Ladakh are given below:

a.     ‘Development of Jammu-Srinagar-Pahalgam-Bhagwati Nagar-Anantnag-Salamabad Uri-Kargil-Leh’ under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme – Total Project Cost Rs.77.33 Crore includes Development of Tourist Facilities at Kargil & Leh in Ladakh for an amount of Rs.13.43 Crore. The project was sanctioned in 2016-17.

b.    ‘Development of Tourist facilities at Anantnag-Pulwama-Kishtwar- Pahalgam-Zanskar Padum – Daksum – Ranjit Sagar Dam’ under Swadesh Darshan Scheme – Total Project Cost Rs.86.39 Crore includes Development of Tourist Facilities at Zanskar-Padum in Ladakh for an amount of Rs.9.45 Crore. The project was sanctioned in 2016-17.

c.     ‘Development of Tourist Facilities at Gulmarg-Baramulla- Kupwara- Kargil – Leh’ under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme – Total Project Cost Rs.91.84 Crore includes Development of Tourist Facilities at Kargil and Leh in Ladakh for an amount of Rs.37.64 Crore. The project was sanctioned in 2016-17.

d.    Sound & Light Show at Leh, Ladakh & Water Screen Projection Multimedia Show at Tourist Facilitation Centre, Kargil, Ladakh under the Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development Scheme for an amount of Rs.23.22 Crore during 2020-21.

ii.   The Ministry of Tourism has revamped its Swadesh Darshan Scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible destinations. ‘Leh’ & ‘Kargil’ have been identified as destinations for development under SD2.0 in the UT of Ladakh.

iii. 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.

iv. Ministry of Tourism has been promoting the UT of Ladakh and its various tourism products on the Incredible India website and through the social media handles of the Ministry of Tourism. The Ministry has been showcasing Ladakh in the India pavilion at international travel fairs and exhibitions, held overseas.

The UT Administration vide Notification S.O. 30 dated 6th August, 2021 has removed the requirement of permit for visiting restricted areas for domestic tourists. As on date whole of Ladakh except a few pockets along the LAC and LoC [for security reasons] are open for domestic tourists. However, permit for foreigners is still a requirement to visit the restricted areas within the UT.

The UT Administration in collaboration with the concerned security forces has established police check posts at spots identified collectively. Further, the UT Administration issues advisory from time to time regarding precautions to be taken for health reasons, safety and security.

This information was given by Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and DoNER Shri G. Kishan Reddy in Rajya Sabha today.