This document summarizes the Ministry of Tourism's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 203, regarding the water leakage problem in Dal Lake, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. The Ministry clarifies that tourism development and lake conservation fall under the purview of the State Government/UT Administration. The Ministry of Tourism complements these efforts through schemes like Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD, which provide financial assistance for tourism-related projects based on proposals received from the respective State Government/UT Administration, adherence to guidelines, budget availability, and inter-se priority.
The annexure details projects sanctioned in Himachal Pradesh under these schemes: Under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, the "Development of Himalayan Circuit" project, covering Kiarighat, Shimla, Hatkoti, Manali, Kangra, Dharamshala, Bir, Palampur, and Chamba, was sanctioned in 2016-17 with a cost of ₹68.34 crore. Under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme, the "Development of Maa Chintpurni Devi Temple, Una" project was sanctioned in 2024-25 with a cost of ₹56.26 crore. Under the Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme, "Tourism Infrastructure Development at Kaza" and "Tourism Infrastructure Development at Rakchham, Chhitkul" were sanctioned in 2024-25 with costs of ₹24.82 crore and ₹4.96 crore, respectively.
Key Entities Referenced
Dal Lake, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh: A lake located in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, the subject of the parliamentary question regarding water leakage.
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian government ministry responsible for tourism development.
Dr. Rajeev Bharadwaj: The Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question in Lok Sabha.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: The Minister of Tourism who answered the parliamentary question.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme: A Ministry of Tourism scheme to develop tourism infrastructure in India.
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive PRASHAD: A Ministry of Tourism scheme focused on developing pilgrimage and heritage tourism destinations.
Himalayan Circuit, Himachal Pradesh: A tourism circuit in Himachal Pradesh developed under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, including Kiarighat, Shimla, Hatkoti, Manali, Kangra, Dharamshala, Bir, Palampur, Chamba.
Maa Chintpurni Temple, Una, Himachal Pradesh: A temple in Una district, Himachal Pradesh, that is being developed under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.+203
ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
MAINTENANCE OF DAL LAKE IN DHARAMSHALA
+203. DR. RAJEEV BHARADWAJ:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the ongoing problem of water
leakage in Dal Lake in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh during the
last few years;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has made any plan to stop water leakage in
the said lake for tourism development; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (d): Development of tourism is primarily undertaken by the concerned
State Government/UT Administration. The Ministry of Tourism does not
have a programme to handle issues related to lake conservation, water
leakage in individual water bodies, etc. However, the Ministry of Tourism
through its ‘Swadesh Darshan’ and ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual
Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ schemes complements the
development efforts by providing financial assistance to them for
undertaking tourism related projects at various tourist places to develop
tourism amenities. Such financial assistance under the relevant schemes
is provided on receipt of the project proposals from the concerned State
Government/UT Administration and subject to its adherence to the scheme
guidelines and instructions issued by the Government from time to time,
availability of budget, inter-se priority etc.
The details of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan, SD2.0, and
Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) scheme in the State of
Himachal Pradesh is Annexed.
********ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.+203 ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025 REGARDING
MAINTENANCE OF DAL LAKE IN DHARAMSHALA RAISED BY DR. RAJEEV
BHARADWAJ.
(i) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in the
State of Himachal Pradesh is as under:
(Amount in ₹crore)
Sl. Circuit / Name of the Project Sanctioned
No. Sanction Cost
Year
1. Himalayan Development of Himalayan Circuit: 68.34
Circuit
Kiarighat, Shimla, Hatkoti, Manali,
2016-17 Kangra, Dharamshala, Bir, Palampur,
Chamba
(ii) Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme in
the State of Himachal Pradesh is as under:
(Amount in ₹crore)
Sl. Year of Destination Name of the Sanctioned
No. Sanction Experience Cost
1. 2024-25 Maa Chintpurni Development of Maa 56.26
Temple (District - Chintpurni Devi
Una) Temple, Una
(iii) Details of Project sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination
Development (CBDD) Scheme in the State of Himachal Pradesh is as under:
(Amount in ₹crore)
Sl. Year of Name of the Project Sanctioned
No. Sanction Cost
1. 2024-25 Tourism Infrastructure Development at
24.82
Kaza
2. 2024-25 Tourism Infrastructure Development at
4.96
Rakchham, Chhitkul
********