Project to benefit 87,000 residents and 2.7 Mn visitors in climate-vulnerable Tehri Garhwal

 The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a USD 126.42 million loan agreement to promote sustainable and climate-resilient tourism in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Lake region, targeting one of the state’s most climate-vulnerable and economically disadvantaged districts.

The Sustainable, Inclusive, and Climate-Resilient Tourism Development at Tehri Lake Area Project is expected to benefit more than 87,000 residents and around 2.7 million annual visitors through upgraded infrastructure, improved sanitation and waste management, strengthened disaster preparedness, and enhanced tourism planning.

The agreement was signed by Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and Kai Wei Yeo, Officer-in-Charge, India Resident Mission, ADB. Mukherjee said the loan supports Uttarakhand’s policy to diversify and position itself as an all-weather tourism destination, with Tehri Lake identified as a priority development area.

Yeo added that the project provides a model for sustainable tourism anchored around a hydropower lake by adopting a multisector approach to generate jobs, diversify income and build climate resilience.

Key interventions include institutional strengthening, climate-resilient infrastructure, nature-based solutions to mitigate flood and landslide risks, and inclusive tourism services led by women, youth and micro, small and medium enterprises. The project will also feature a women-led disaster risk management initiative in pilot villages and a livelihood matching grant programme to expand tourism-linked opportunities.