ADB have signed a $126.42 million loan agreement to transform the Tehri Lake region in Uttarakhand

The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a $126.42 million loan agreement aimed at transforming the Tehri Lake region in Uttarakhand into a model for sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient tourism.

Project Highlights
- Target Area: Tehri Garhwal District—one of Uttarakhand’s most climate-vulnerable and economically disadvantaged regions
- Beneficiaries: Over 87,000 residents and 2.7 million annual visitors
- Goals:
- Improve tourism planning and infrastructure
- Enhance sanitation and waste management
- Strengthen disaster preparedness

Key Interventions
- Climate-resilient infrastructure and nature-based solutions to mitigate landslide and flood risks
- Inclusive tourism services led by women, youth, and the private sector
- Livelihood matching grants for MSMEs and community-led tourism
- Universal access design, including for persons with disabilities
- Women-led disaster risk management initiatives in pilot villages

Voices from the Agreement
- Juhi Mukherjee (Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance): “The ADB loan supports Uttarakhand’s policy to become a diversified, all-weather tourism destination.”
- Kai Wei Yeo (ADB India Resident Mission): “This project showcases a multisector approach to generate jobs, diversify income, and build climate resilience.”

This initiative not only boosts tourism but also sets a precedent for climate-smart development in ecologically sensitive regions.