Kargil, a district with immense cultural, religious, and winter tourism potential, is now receiving attention from the Government of India. The Ministry of Tourism has outlined plans to transform Kargil into a major tourist destination through various infrastructure projects under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.
The scenic district of Kargil in the Union Territory of Ladakh has long been recognized for its untapped potential in cultural, religious, and winter tourism. The Ministry of Tourism acknowledges this potential and is taking steps to develop the region into a significant tourist destination.
Kargil boasts a rich cultural heritage, with numerous monasteries, ancient trade routes, and vibrant local traditions. The region's religious significance, particularly in Buddhism, adds to its appeal as a destination for cultural and religious tourism.
The harsh winters in Kargil offer unique opportunities for winter tourism, including adventure sports such as skiing and snowboarding, as well as cultural experiences like winter festivals and traditional winter crafts.
Previous governments have made several promises to develop Kargil as a tourist destination. However, due to various challenges, including logistical difficulties and the harsh climate, comprehensive development has not yet been fully realized.
The current government has recognized the need to fulfill these promises and has initiated several projects under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, with a focus on sustainable and responsible tourism development.
Destination Interventions Name Cost (In Rs. Crore) Leh Julley Leh Biodiversity Park 24.89 Kargil Exploring LOC and Hundarman Village Experience 12.01
The Swadesh Darshan scheme, aimed at developing thematic tourism circuits, has been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0, focusing on a tourist-centric approach. Under this scheme, several projects have been sanctioned to boost tourism in Kargil and the broader Ladakh region.
Sl. No. UT Circuit/Sanction Year Name of the Project Amount Sanctioned (In Rs. Crore) Details 1 J&K and Ladakh Himalayan Circuit (2016-17) Development of Jammu-Srinagar-Pahalgam-Bhagwati Nagar-Anantnag-Salamabad Uri-Kargil-Leh 77.33 Includes intervention for Rs. 13.43 Crore in UT of Ladakh 2 J&K and Ladakh Himalayan Circuit (2016-17) Development of Tourist facilities at Anantnag-Pulwama-Kishtwar-Pahalgam-Zanskar Padum - Daksum - Ranjit Sagar Dam 86.39 Includes intervention for Rs. 9.44 Crore in UT of Ladakh 3 J&K and Ladakh Himalayan Circuit (2016-17) Development of Tourist Facilities at Gulmarg-Baramulla-Kupwara-Kargil-Leh 91.84 Includes intervention for Rs. 37.67 Crore in UT of Ladakh
The Ministry of Tourism has laid out a clear plan for the development of tourism infrastructure in Kargil. The projects are expected to be completed in phases, with significant progress anticipated by 2025. The government is committed to ensuring that these projects are not only completed on time but also meet the highest standards of sustainability and cultural sensitivity.
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