By 
Leh, December 18, 2025:
The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Shri Kavinder Gupta, today launched the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) Incentive Scheme–2025, notified by the Department of Tourism, UT Ladakh, with the objective of promoting sustainable tourism and safeguarding Ladakh’s fragile ecological balance.
The scheme aims to encourage the installation of decentralised Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in hotels and guesthouses across the Union Territory to ensure scientific wastewater treatment, prevent environmental pollution, and promote responsible tourism practices.
During a detailed presentation, the Secretary, Tourism, informed that hotels and guesthouses form the backbone of Ladakh’s tourism economy. The scheme seeks to address environmental challenges arising from improper wastewater disposal through clean and sustainable waste management solutions.
The STP Incentive Scheme–2025 is applicable to both new and existing hotels and guesthouses in UT Ladakh with a room capacity of 10 to 19 rooms. Eligible establishments must be provisionally or permanently registered with the Department of Tourism and possess valid permissions or No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the competent authorities.
Under the scheme, eligible units installing decentralised STPs will receive financial assistance covering 75 percent of the equipment cost, subject to a maximum ceiling of ₹5 lakh. Additionally, an extra incentive of 10 percent will be provided to hotels or guesthouses owned by women residents of UT Ladakh. Admissible expenses include the cost of equipment, installation, transportation, and consultancy, excluding GST and other non-admissible expenditures.
The scheme aligns with the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, as notified by the Ladakh Pollution Control Committee (LPCC). While installation of STPs is not mandatory for obtaining Consent to Establish or Operate, eligible units are strongly encouraged to adopt STPs to avail the benefits and ensure compliance with prescribed effluent quality standards.
The initiative reflects the UT Administration’s commitment to balancing tourism growth with environmental conservation, reinforcing Ladakh’s vision for sustainable and eco-friendly development.
Comments