Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Tourism addresses the development of the tourism sector in the Union Territory of Ladakh. It outlines initiatives to promote tourism through central sector schemes and financial assistance to the UT Administration. The UT Administration of Ladakh has also implemented policies and schemes, including the Ladakh Homestay policy 2023, adventure tourism regulations, the Sewerage Treatment Plant STP Incentive Scheme 2024, and the establishment of a Tourist Police Unit in 2021.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Central Government Initiatives:**
* The Ministry of Tourism supports tourism development in Ladakh through schemes like Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0), Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), and Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development (ACA).
* Financial assistance is extended to the UT Administration subject to fund availability, adherence to scheme guidelines, and submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).
* The Ministry promotes tourism destinations through promotional events, assistance for organizing fairs and festivals, participation in exhibitions, websites, and social media.
* **Ladakh UT Administration Initiatives:**
* **Ladakh Homestay Policy 2023:** Supports rural households in setting up homestays by providing essential items and skill training, prioritizing unemployed households, ex-servicemen, women self-help groups, and new entrepreneurs.
* **Adventure Tourism Regulations:** Registration and Renewal Guidelines for Adventure Tour operators and guidelines for Adventure Activities align with the National Strategy for Adventure Tourism 2022, focusing on safety, sustainability, and ecofriendliness, requiring Adventure Tour Operators (ATOs) to register every three years for a fee of Rs.3,000.
* **Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) Incentive Scheme 2024:** Encourages the installation and operation of decentralized STPs in hotels and guesthouses with 119 rooms, aiming to minimize environmental impact and support sustainable tourism.
* **Ladakh Tourist Police Unit:** Established in 2021, with personnel stationed at key tourist spots to assist visitors and conduct rescue operations.
* **Projects Sanctioned (Under various schemes):**
* **Swadesh Darshan Scheme:** Development of tourist facilities sanctioned for Himalayan Circuits (Jammu-Srinagar, Anantnag-Pulwama-Kishtwar-Pahalgam, and Gulmarg-Baramulla-Kupwara-Kargil-Leh) in 2016-17, with amounts ranging from Rs. 77.33 Crore to Rs. 91.84 Crore.
* **Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development Scheme:** Sound and Light Show at Leh and Water Screen Projection Multimedia Show at Tourist Facilitation Centre, Kargil sanctioned in 2020 for Rs. 2321.99 Lakh.
* **Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme:** Julley Leh Bio diversity Park and Exploring LOC and Hundarman village Experience projects sanctioned in 2023-24 for Rs. 23.16 Crore and Rs. 11.91 Crore, respectively.
Impact Analysis:
* **Rural Households in Ladakh:**
* *Impact:* Opportunity to establish homestays, generate income, and receive skill training.
* *Action Required:* Follow the Ladakh Homestay Policy 2023 guidelines to set up homestays and participate in training programs.
* **Adventure Tour Operators (ATOs):**
* *Impact:* Need to comply with new registration and safety guidelines for adventure activities.
* *Action Required:* Register every three years, pay the registration fee of Rs.3,000, and adhere to safety protocols based on risk categories as per the National Strategy for Adventure Tourism 2022.
* **Hotels and Guesthouses (with 1-19 rooms):**
* *Impact:* Encouraged to install and operate decentralized STPs to minimize environmental impact.
* *Action Required:* Participate in the Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) Incentive Scheme 2024 of UT of Ladakh.
* **Tourists Visiting Ladakh:**
* *Impact:* Enhanced safety and assistance through the presence of the Ladakh Tourist Police Unit.
* *Action Required:* Be aware of the location of Tourist Police personnel at key tourist spots and seek their assistance when needed.
Key Entities Referenced
Ladakh: A Union Territory in India, focus of the tourism promotion efforts described in the document.
Swadesh Darshan: A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, focused on developing tourism circuits.
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive PRASHAD: A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, for developing pilgrimage destinations.
Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development ACA: A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, providing financial assistance for tourism infrastructure development.
Ladakh Homestay policy 2023: A policy by the Union Territory Administration of Ladakh to support rural households in setting up homestays.
National Strategy for Adventure Tourism 2022: A national strategy document that provides guidelines for adventure tourism activities.
Sewerage Treatment Plant STP Incentive Scheme 2024: A scheme by the UT of Ladakh to encourage the installation and operation of decentralized STPs in hotels and guesthouses.
Kargil, Ladakh: A location in Ladakh where a Sound and Light Show project has been sanctioned under the Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development Scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. +3634
ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN LADAKH
+3634. SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the tourism sector is flourishing in the Union Territory of
Ladakh; and
(b) if so, the details of the new initiatives taken by the Government to
promote tourism in the Union Territory of Ladakh?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (b): Yes, tourism sector is developing rapidly in the Union Territory
of Ladakh. Development and Promotion of tourist destinations and tourism
products is primarily undertaken by the respective State Government/
Union Territory (UT) Administration. However, the Ministry of Tourism
through its central sector schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD)’, Swadesh
Darshan 2.0 (D2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’-a
sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan, ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual,
Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central
Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ (ACA) complements the
efforts of tourism infrastructure development by extending financial
assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations; subject to
availability of funds, adherence to scheme guidelines, submission of
Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) by the State Government etc.
The details of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan, SD
2.0 and ACA scheme in the UT Administration of Ladakh is Annexed.
Ministry of Tourism as part of its ongoing endeavour, promotes
various tourism destinations and products of India in a holistic manner,
through various initiatives including promotional events, assistance to
State Governments/UT Administrations for organising fairs and festivals,
participation in exhibitions, websites, social media etc.Further, the Union Territory Administration of Ladakh has taken the
following steps to promote tourism in Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh:
i. The Ladakh Homestay policy 2023, supports rural households in
setting up homestays by providing kits containing 29 essential items.
The policy also offers skill training through State Institute of hotel
management (SIHM). Priority is given to the unemployed households,
ex-servicemen, women self-help groups, and new entrepreneurs,
excluding existing tourism businesses.
ii. To regulate adventure tourism in Ladakh, the ‘Registration and
Renewal Guidelines for Adventure Tour operators and guidelines for
Adventure Activities’ align with the National Strategy for Adventure
Tourism 2022, covering 18 activities focused on safety,
sustainability, and eco-friendliness. Adventure Tour Operators (ATOs)
must register every three years for a fee of Rs.3,000 and follow
safety protocols based on risk categories.
iii. The Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) Incentive Scheme 2024 of UT of
Ladakh, encourages the installation and operation of decentralized
STPs in hotels and guesthouses with 1-19 rooms in Ladakh. It aims to
minimize environmental impact by ensuring proper wastewater
treatment, protecting local water bodies, enhancing public health,
and supporting sustainable tourism.
iv. The Ladakh Tourist Police Unit was established in 2021. Tourist
Police personnel are stationed at key tourist spots such as Khardung
La, Chang La, and Pangong Tso to assist visitors. They also conduct
rescue operations to evacuate stranded tourists from trekking
routes.
*******ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.+3634 ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025 REGARDING PROMOTION
OF TOURISM IN LADAKH RAISED BY SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI
Details of Projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme:
(Rs. In Crore)
S. Circuit/ Name of the Project Amount
SanctionYear Sanctioned
No.
1. Himalayan Development of Jammu-Srinagar- 77.33
Circuit
Pahalgam-Bhagwati Nagar-Anantnag-
2016-17
Salamabad Uri-Kargil-Leh
2. Himalayan Development of Tourist facilities at
Circuit Anantnag-Pulwama-Kishtwar-Pahalgam- 86.39
2016-17
Zanskar Padum-Daksum-Ranjit Sagar Dam
3. Himalayan Development of Tourist Facilities at 91.84
Circuit Gulmarg-Baramulla- Kupwara- Kargil- Leh
2016-17
Details of projects sanctioned under Assistance to Central Agencies for
Tourism Infrastructure Development Scheme:
(Rs. In Lakh)
Sanction Name of the Project Amount
Year Sanctioned
2020- Sound & Light Show at Leh, Ladakh & Water Screen 2321.99
Projection Multimedia Show at Tourist Facilitation
21
Centre, Kargil, Ladakh
Details of Projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme
(Rs. In Crore)
S. UT Destination Name of the Experience Sanctioned Sanctioned
Cost Year
No.
1. Ladakh Leh Julley Leh Bio 23.16 2023-24
diversity Park
2. Ladakh Kargil Exploring LOC and 11.91 2023-24
Hundarman village
Experience
******