India & ADB Sign $126 Million Loan Agreement for Sustainable Tourism in Uttarakhand.

India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $126 million loan agreement to promote sustainable and resilient tourism in Uttarakhand, with a special focus on climate-vulnerable regions.

      - The project will target Tehri Garhwal district, one of the most climate-sensitive and economically disadvantaged areas of Uttarakhand, aiming to boost eco-friendly tourism while strengthening infrastructure.

      - It is expected to directly benefit over 87,000 residents and nearly 2.7 million annual visitors through upgraded sanitation, waste management, and improved disaster preparedness systems.

      - The agreement was signed between Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), and Kai Wei Yeo, Officer-in-Charge, India Resident Mission, ADB.

Main Point :-   (i) The Asian Development Bank was established in 1966 and currently has 68 member countries, including India as a founding member.

      (ii) ADB approved financing worth $4.5 billion for India in 2023, making India its largest borrower in Asia.

(iii) Uttarakhand contributes nearly 2% to India’s domestic tourism and the project aims to integrate eco-tourism with livelihood generation for local communities.
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