Lok Sabha Question No. 5956 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-10
Subject: Promotion of Eco-tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: MAHEISH GIRRI, KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY, K. C. VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5956 ANSWERED ON 10.04.2017

## PROMOTION OF ECO-TOURISM

5956. SHRI MAHEISH GIRRI: SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY KOTHA:

SHRI K.C. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is committed to promote eco-tourism in various States/UTs of the country as it is nature-based and ecologically sustainable and also beneficial to local people;
- (b) if so, the details of the steps taken and schemes formulated by the Government in this regard during the last three years;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  identified  some  areas/locations in  the  country including remote, hilly and backward areas for promotion of eco-tourism and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise  along  with  the  details  of  the  funds  earmarked and the expenditure incurred during the last three years;
- (d) whether the Government is providing training to local inhabitants in the eco-tourism sector to popularize it and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  steps  being  taken  to  minimise  the  conflicts  between  the use  of  resources  for  eco-tourism  and  the  livelihood  of  local inhabitants?

## ANSWER

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

(a)& (b): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  launched  the  Swadesh Darshan scheme in the year 2014-15 for Integrated development of Theme  based  circuits.  Eco-Circuit  is  one  of  the  thirteen  thematic circuits  identified  under  the  Swadesh  Darshan  Scheme  as  part  of the commitment for development of eco-tourism.

(c) & (d): Development  and  implementation  of  tourism  projects including  training  of  stakeholders  is  primarily  the  responsibility  of the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. The  Ministry  of  Tourism  provides  Central  Financial Assistance (CFA) under relevant schemes to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for promotion of ecotourism,  subject  to  availability  of  funds,  submission  of  Utilization Certificates for funds released earlier and adherence to the scheme guidelines.

A list of projects sanctioned under the Eco-Circuit of Swadesh Darshan  scheme  and  for  Eco-Tourism  under  the  now  delinked scheme of Product /Infrastructure Development for Destinations and Circuits (PIDDC) in the last three years is given at annexure. In developing the Eco-Circuit of Swadesh Darshan scheme, the goal  is  to  enable  people  to  enjoy  and  learn  about  the  natural, historical and cultural characteristics of unique environments, while preserving the integrity of those sites and stimulating the economic

(e): development opportunities in local communities.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (c) & (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5956 ANSWERED ON 10.04.2017 REGARDING PROMOTION OF ECO-TOURISM.

- I. Details  of  projects  sanctioned  under  the  Eco-Circuit  theme  of Swadesh Darshan Scheme

(Rs. in crore)

| Sl. No.      | State/UT     | Name of the Circuit   | Name of the Project                                                                                                                                                                               | Amt. Sanctioned   | Amount released   |
|--------------|--------------|-----------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
| Year 2015-16 | Year 2015-16 | Year 2015-16          | Year 2015-16                                                                                                                                                                                      | Year 2015-16      | Year 2015-16      |
| 1            | Uttarakhand  | Eco Circuit           | Integrated Development of Eco- Tourism, Adventure Sports, Associated Tourism related Infrastructure for Development of Tehri Lake & Surroundings as New Destination- District Tehri, Uttarakhand. | 80.37             | 40.19             |
| 2            | Telangana    | Eco Circuit           | Integrated Development of Eco Tourism Circuit in Mahaboobnagar district, Telangana.                                                                                                               | 91.62             | 18.32             |
| 3            | Kerala       | Eco Circuit           | Development of Pathanamthitta - Gavi - Vagamon - Thekkady as Eco Tourism Circuit in Idduki and Parhanamthitta Districts in Kerala.                                                                | 99.22             | 19.84             |
| 2016-17      | 2016-17      | 2016-17               | 2016-17                                                                                                                                                                                           | 2016-17           | 2016-17           |
| 4            | Mizoram      | Eco Circuit           | Development of Eco- Adventure Circuit Aizawl -Rawpuichhip                                                                                                                                         | 99.07             | 19.81             |

| - Khawhphawp - Lengpui - Durtlang - Chatlang- Sakawrhmuituaitlang - Muthee - Beratlawng -Tuirial Airfield - Hmuifang' under Eco circuit theme of Swadesh Darshan Scheme   |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

- II. Project Sanctioned for Eco-Tourism under the Product/Infrastructure  Development  for  Destinations  and  Circuits (PIDDC) Scheme.

(Rs. in lakh)

| Sl. No.   | State/UT          | Name of the Project                                                                        | Amt. Sanctioned   | Amount released   |
|-----------|-------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
| 2014-15   | 2014-15           | 2014-15                                                                                    | 2014-15           | 2014-15           |
| 1         | Arunachal Pradesh | Construction of Eco- Tourism at Huru Pahar Roing                                           | 500.00            | 100.00            |
| 2         | Mizoram           | Integrated Development of Eco-Tourism Mega Circuit at Thenzawl, District Serchhip, Mizoram | 4829.69           | 241.48            |

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