Ladakh council to charge entry fee from tourists

Sources said the LAHDC during the recently held meeting under Chief Executive Councillor, has decided to charge an entry fee of $10 (approx. Rs 450) from the next summer.

The Council has planned to spend the amount raised in the conservation of Leh’s highly fragile economy, cleanliness of lakes, improve tourist resorts, trekking routes among other things.

‘‘The decision of charging entry fee will go a long way in helping in the upkeep of the ecology and maintenance of the areas of tourist interests in the region,’’ said T. Namgayal, Leh tourist officer.

A committee will be formed for the purpose next month by Leh deputy commissioner.

In the past few years, Leh has emerged as a famous tourist destination among the middle-class tourists — especially foreigners from France, Germany, Canada, Britain, Japan and some Central Asian countries. The number has increased after violence started in early 90s in Kashmir. As per the statistics available with the State Tourism Department, Leh has seen a five-fold increase in foreign tourists since 2002 and the number is expected to grow this year.

Also, to target the domestic tourists and foreigners, the Tourism Department has begun organising Ladakh festival at the traditional Silk Route.

In fact, the LAHDC had proposed the entry fee from last summer itself, but the state government had reservations.

Besides entry fee, another suggestion doing the rounds is fee for visiting monasteries. There are 34 monasteries, besides 15 listed rock and boulder carvings and 40 stone figures and sculptures in Leh.

‘‘We are already charging nominal entry fee of Rs 20 for tourists visiting the monasteries. The idea can be reconsidered only if if we see any resentment among tourists,’’ Namgayal added.