Lok Sabha Question No. 2036 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-28
Subject: Development of tourism in Islands
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2036 ANSWERED ON 28.11.2016

## DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN ISLANDS

## 2036. SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  action  plan  to develop  Islands  of  Andaman  &  Nicobar,  Lakshadweep  and other  offshore  islands  of  the  country  in  terms  of  building infrastructure, power, resorts and hotels to promote tourism in these islands;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and the  action taken/being taken by the Government in this regard including public-private partnership initiatives;
- (c) the estimated cost involved in the development of such islands along with the time by which the said development will take place;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  concrete  steps  to reduce  the  threats  of  natural  calamities  and  if  so,  the  steps taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  is  encouraging  the  people  of  such islands including tribal population to engage in tourism related activities and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) & (b): Yes, Niti Aayog has informed that they have taken up an initiative for  preparation  of  a  Concept  Development  Plan  and detailed  Master  Plans  for  Holistic  development  of  10  Islands  in Andaman & Nicobar as well as Lakshadweep Islands.  Andaman & Nicobar  Administration  has  formulated  a  'Tourism  Policy'  in  the year  2010  for  development  of  tourism.    Similarly,  Lakshadweep Administration has notified Lakshadweep  Tourism  Policy-2016, which envisages for holistic development of tourism in the entire UT of Lakshadweep Islands.  Lakshadweep Administration has informed that  they  are  in  the  advance  stage  of  finalizing  the  Guidelines  for establishment  of  Eco-friendly  Resort,  Scuba  diving  Centres  etc. These guidelines will enable establishment of tourism infrastructure in  all  the  tourist  focal  islands  of  Lakshadweep  through  Public  as well  as  Private  Investment  and  Public  Private  Partnership  (PPP) mode.

(c): A  Request  for  Qualification  (RFQ)-cum-Request  for  Proposal (RFP) document has been prepared and uploaded on the website of NITI  Aayog  for  engagement  of  a  suitable  consultant  to  facilitate preparation of Concept Development Plan and Detailed Master Plans for  five  Andaman  &  Nicobar  Islands  as  well  as  five  Lakshadweep Islands.

(d): The Administration of Andaman & Nicobar Islands has established separate Department 'Directorate of Disaster Management'  for  managing  disasters.    A  State  Control  Room  has also  been  established  and  functioning  24/7  x  365  days.    The Emergency Operation Centres are functioning in  coordination  with all  line  departments/stakeholder  under  the  supervision  and  control of State  Emergency  Operation  Centre with fine state of Art communication  linkage  with  support  of  Indian  National  Centre  for Ocean Information Services, Hyderabad, Indian Meteorological Department, New Delhi, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  (MHA),  National  Disaster  Management Authority  (NDMA),  National  Disaster  Response  Force  (NDRF).    In Lakshadweep,  the  Integrated  Island  Management  Plan  (IIMP)  has taken care of the protection in the event of natural calamities.

(e): At present, SPORTS (Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism & Sports), the Government agency of Union Territory of Lakshadweep,  employs  tribals  for  running  tourism  and  the  UT Department  of  Tourism  is  imparting  training  to  them  in  tourism related field.  The Andaman & Nicobar Administration have informed that  tribal  areas  are  not  open  for  tourism  in  Andaman  &  Nicobar Islands.

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