- HIGHLIGHTS
- Mandatory installation of STPs for hotels and guesthouses with 10 or more rooms
- 75% of equipment costs covered for smaller establishments, up to ₹5 lakh for 10-19 rooms, and up to ₹3 lakh for 1-9 rooms
- Focus on decentralized sewage treatment solutions with capacities starting at 0.75 KLD
Yash Khajuria
Leh, Sept 19: In a bid to preserve its fragile ecosystem and promote sustainable tourism, the Union Territory Administration of Ladakh has introduced the ‘STP Incentive Scheme 2024’. This initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Tourism, encourages smaller hotels and guesthouses to install decentralized Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) to manage wastewater effectively. Targeting establishments with 1 to 19 rooms, the scheme aims to protect local water bodies, enhance public health, and mitigate environmental pressures exacerbated by Ladakh’s growing tourism industry.
By providing financial incentives and lowering the threshold for mandatory STP installations, this ambitious policy addresses the urgent need for sustainable water management practices, ensuring that Ladakh’s pristine landscapes remain protected for future generations.
Pertinently, renowned for its pristine landscapes and delicate ecological balance Ladakh has been facing challenges associated with water scarcity, especially during peak tourist seasons. The new policy marks a concerted effort by the government to ensure that tourism-driven development does not come at the cost of the environment.
The core objective of the ‘STP Incentive Scheme 2024’ is to promote responsible tourism by encouraging clean and sustainable water management practices across Ladakh’s hotels and guesthouses. By supporting the installation of decentralized sewage treatment systems, the scheme aims to protect local water bodies and ensure that tourism-driven development does not compromise Ladakh’s unique landscapes and ecosystems.
Under the broader framework of the ‘Ladakh STP Policy 2024’, hotels and guesthouses with 10 or more rooms will be required to install in-house STPs. This regulation aligns with recommendations from the Ladakh Pollution Control Committee (LPCC), which has emphasized the need for stringent measures to address the environmental challenges posed by climate change, particularly those affecting water availability and distribution.
The scheme is designed with a focus on supporting smaller establishments, which often struggle with the financial burden of installing sewage treatment facilities. Hotels and guesthouses with 10-19 rooms will receive financial support covering 75% of their STP equipment costs, up to ₹5 lakh, while those with 1-9 rooms will be eligible for up to ₹3 lakh. Eligible costs under the scheme include equipment, installation, transportation, and consultancy fees, though taxes like GST are excluded.
This marks a major shift from previous regulations, which required only larger hotels with 20 or more rooms to maintain sewage treatment facilities. Now, smaller establishments—previously exempt—are being encouraged to install mini-STPs with capacities as low as 0.75 KLD (kiloliters per day) to mitigate pollution risks and support sustainable tourism.
Ladakh’s booming tourism industry has led to a rapid increase in the number of hotels and guesthouses, placing immense pressure on its limited natural resources, particularly water. The improper disposal of wastewater from these establishments has emerged as a major environmental concern, threatening Ladakh’s delicate ecosystems and public health.
The ‘STP Incentive Scheme 2024’ is a proactive response to advisories issued by the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal (NGT), which has called for improved wastewater management in regions with high tourist inflows. By lowering the threshold for mandatory STP installations, the new policy is expected to significantly improve wastewater treatment and protect Ladakh’s water bodies from further pollution.
Ladakh’s economy is heavily reliant on tourism, attracting thousands of visitors each year. However, this influx has also brought environmental challenges, particularly related to water management. The ‘STP Incentive Scheme 2024’ seeks to strike a balance between the economic benefits of tourism and the urgent need to protect the environment.
This initiative is viewed as a crucial step towards ensuring that Ladakh’s natural beauty and ecological integrity are preserved for future generations. By incentivizing small and medium-sized hotels to adopt decentralized sewage treatment solutions, the Union Territory Administration is paving the way for a more eco-conscious and sustainable tourism sector.
