The central government has been actively supporting the development of mountain tourism in Uttarakhand, releasing more than Rs 284 crore for various tourism initiatives since the 2015-16 financial year.

During the winter session of the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Nainital MP Ajay Bhatt raised an unstarred question regarding schemes for developing the mountain tourism circuit. 

In response, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stated that extensive investments have been made in the Himalayan states, including Uttarakhand, under schemes such as Swadesh Darshan, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, PRASAD, CBDD, and SASCI. A total of Rs 1,726.74 crore has been allocated for Himalayan tourism projects so far, of which Rs 1,200.46 crore has been released.

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Several key projects have been sanctioned in Uttarakhand in recent years. In 2015-16, Rs 34.77 crore was released for the integrated development of Kedarnath. For Badrinath Dham, Rs 56.15 crore was sanctioned in 2018-19 for the expansion of pilgrimage facilities, of which Rs 38.38 crore has been released. 

The Gangotri-Yamunotri Dham received Rs 10.5 crore out of a sanctioned Rs 54.36 crore, while Rs 66 crore has been released in 2024-25 for the development of the Rishikesh rafting base station from a sanctioned Rs 100 crore.

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Funds have also been provided for projects such as the Champawat tea garden experience, Gunji rural tourism cluster in Pithoragarh, and the Mana and Jadung Vibrant Village initiatives. 

Additionally, financial assistance has been extended for the development of a heritage circuit in Kumaon and adventure tourism activities around Tehri Lake, reflecting the government’s sustained focus on promoting tourism in the Himalayan region.