Lok Sabha Question No. 5544 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-02
Subject: Development of Heritage Sites to Enhance Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5544 ANSWERED ON 02.04.2018

## DEVELOPMENT OF HERITAGE SITES TO ENHANCE TOURISM

## 5544. SHRIMATI RAKSHATAI KHADSE:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  launch/has  launched schemes in co-ordination with Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India to envisage developing monuments, heritage and tourists sites across the country and make them tourist friendly to enhance their tourism potential & cultural importance; and
- (b) if  so,  the details of the schemes formulated in this regard so far?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI K.J. ALPHONS)

- (a): Ministry  of  Tourism  in  close  collaboration  with  Ministry  of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) launched 'Adopt a Heritage  Project'  to  provide  world  class  tourist  facilities  at  the various natural/cultural heritage sites, monuments and other tourist sites to make them tourist friendly, enhance their tourist potential and cultural importance in a planned and phased manner across the country.

The  project  primarily  focuses  on  providing  basic  amenities that  include  cleanliness,  public  convenience,  drinking  water,  ease of  access  for  tourists,  signage  etc.  and  advanced  amenities  like TFC, Souvenir shop, Cafeteria etc.

The project envisages to entrust heritage sites to the private sector  companies,  public  sector  companies  and  individuals  for development  of  tourist  amenities.  They  would  become  'Monument Mitra'  and  adopt  the  sites  essentially  under  their  Corporate  Social Responsibility (CSR) activity. They  would  also look after the operations and maintenance of these amenities. The  'Monument  Mitras'  would  associate  pride  in  adoption  of these monuments/heritage sites. (b): Brief of the Project 'Adopt a Heritage' is placed at Annexure.

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## 1. Project Brief

Ministry  of  Tourism  in  close  collaboration  with  Ministry  of Culture, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), State Government and Local Bodies envisages developing heritage sites and making them tourist  friendly  to  enhance  their  tourism  potential  and  cultural importance,  in  a  planned  and  phased  manner.  The  project  began with  93  ASI  ticketed  monuments  and  has  now  been  expanded  to other  natural  and  cultural  heritage  sites  and  other  tourist  sites across India.

The project was launched by the Hon'ble President of India on 27 th  Sept, 2017 on the occasion of World Tourism Day.

The  project  plans  to  entrust  heritage  sites  to  the  private sector  companies,  public  sector  companies  and  individuals  (who would  be  known  as  'Monument  Mitras')  for  providing  basic  and advanced tourism amenities and operation and maintenance (O&M) of the adopted site initially for the 5 years subject to review at any time.

The objectives of the project are listed as under:

-  Develop  basic  tourism  infrastructure  in  and  around  heritage monuments and any other tourist sites.
-  Inclusive  tourist  experience  for  heritage  site  /  monument  or tourist site.
-  Promote cultural and heritage value of the country to generate livelihoods  of  local  communities  of  respective  heritage  site  / monument/ tourist site.
-  Enhance the tourist attractiveness in a sustainable manner by developing world class infrastructure at heritage site / monument or tourist site.

## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (b)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5544 ANSWERED ON 02.04.2018 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF HERITAGE SITES TO ENHANCE TOURISM.

## ADOPT A HERITAGE PROJECT

-  Create employment through active involvement of local communities.
-  Harness tourism potential for its multiplier effects in employment generation and economic development.
-  Develop sustainable tourism infrastructure and ensuring proper Operations and Maintenance therein.
2. The  heritage  sites/monuments  enlisted  are  categorized  as green, blue and orange on the basis of tourist footfall and visibility.

As a part of project guidelines, it is mandatory for Monument Mitra, who is opting for a monument from green category to choose at least one site from either orange or blue category.

The most competitive and innovative vision would be considered as the successful bidding entity. The interested parties selecting  more  numbers  of  monuments  from  orange  and  blue category shall be given higher weightage.

The  Interested  parties  may  also  opt  for  any  other  heritage site/monument or tourist site not mentioned in the above list, under the project and the unlisted tourist site will automatically considered under blue category.

3. The project focuses on active industry participation to ensure a  sustainable  model  formulation.  Resources  for  the  capital  and recurring  cost  is  proposed  through  industry  participation,  through CSR or any other funding option subject to review and approval of Oversight & Vision Committee.
4. Monument Mitras would associate pride with these activities and will be provided limited visibility in the monument/site premises.

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