In a bid to boost the tourism sector in Ladakh, the Union Tourism Ministry on Friday announced that the whole of the Union Territory, except a few pockets along the border with China and Pakistan, are open for domestic tourists. The UT administration has also removed the requirement of permit for visiting the restricted areas for domestic tourists, while foreigners still need a permit to visit these areas.
The Minister of Tourism G Kishan Reddy informed the Rajya Sabha that the UT administration, in collaboration with the security forces, has established police check posts at spots identified collectively to ensure the safety and security of the tourists in the forbidden areas. He also said that the administration issues advisory from time to time regarding precautions to be taken for health reasons, safety and security.
Reddy said that the Ministry of Tourism has taken several steps to promote Ladakh tourism at national and international levels and has sanctioned several projects for the development of tourism related infrastructure under the Swadesh Darshan and Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development Schemes.
He said that the Jammu-Srinagar-Pahalgam-Bhagwati Nagar-Anantnag-Salamabad Uri-Kargil-Leh circuit, the Anantnag-Pulwama-Kishtwar-Pahalgam-Zanskar Padum-Daksum-Ranjit Sagar Dam circuit, and the Gulmarg-Baramulla-Kupwara- Kargil-Leh circuit are being developed under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme at a total cost of Rs 255.56 crore, which includes development of tourist facilities at Kargil, Leh and Zanskar-Padum in Ladakh for an amount of Rs 60.52 crore.
He also said that the Government of India has sanctioned sound and light show at Leh and water screen projection multimedia show at Tourist Facilitation Centre, Kargil under Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development Scheme for an amount of Rs 23.22 crore.
He further said that the Ministry of Tourism has revamped Swadesh Darshan Scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible destinations and Leh and Kargil have been identified as destinations for development. He also disclosed that during 2019-20, financial assistance was provided to the UT of Ladakh for organizing Losar Festivals for an amount of Rs 15 lakh under Domestic Promotion & Publicity including Hospitality (DPPH) Scheme.
He added that the Ministry of Tourism has been promoting the UT of Ladakh and its various tourism products on the Incredible India website and through the social media handles. He also said that the Ministry has been showcasing Ladakh in the India Pavilion at international travel fairs and exhibitions held overseas.
However, the recent surge in Omicron cases in the country has also affected the tourism sector in Ladakh, as the administration has cancelled all the prominent winter tourist activities, including the very popular Chadar Trek, over the concern of rising Omicron cases in the country12. The new COVID-19 variant, though less deadly, is highly contagious and the government of Ladakh does not want to take any risk.
The administration has also made it mandatory for all tourists arriving in Leh to undergo 48 hours of acclimatisation in Leh before continuing their journey3. This is to prevent acute high altitude sickness among tourists, as Leh is situated at an elevation of 3500 m above sea level. The administration has also instructed all the stakeholders to take compliance with various SOPs that will be formulated by the District Administration with regard to the management of visitors entering Leh during peak season, and monitoring their medical conditions strictly.
The tourism industry in Ladakh, which is one of the main sources of income and employment for the locals, is hopeful that the situation will improve soon and the tourists will return to enjoy the beauty and culture of the cold desert region.
