Lok Sabha Question No. 2221 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-01
Subject: Promotion of Tourism in NER
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Conrad Kongkal Sangma, MAULANA BADRUDDIN AJMAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2221 ANSWERED ON 01.01.2018

## PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN NER

2221. SHRI C.K. SANGMA: SHRI BADRUDDIN AJMAL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  scheme  for  the development  and  promotion  of  tourist  spots  in  North  Eastern Regions (NER) of the country and if so, the details thereof and the sites identified for the purpose, State-wise including Assam;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  sanctioned  any  projects  for  the development of Tourism in Assam;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the funds allocated, sanctioned and utilised for the NER in this regard during the last three years and the current year, State/location-wise; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to relax rules in restive areas like  Arunachal  Pradesh,  some  parts  of  Sikkim  and  Leh  and Ladakh to promote tourism in these picturesque regions and if so, the details thereof along with the time by which the rules are likely to be relaxed?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  launched  Swadesh  Darshan scheme  -  Integrated  Development  of  Theme-Based  Tourist  Circuits and PRASHAD scheme - National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive in 2014-15 for the development of tourism infrastructure in the country. Under Swadesh Darshan  Scheme,  fifteen  thematic  circuits  and  under  PRASHAD scheme 25 sites have been identified for development in the country.

The  Ministry  promotes  India  as  a  holistic  destination  including North Eastern Region as part of its on-going activities, releases print, electronic, online and outdoor media campaigns in the domestic and international markets, under the Incredible India brand-line, to promote tourism products and destinations of the country.  MoT also promotes the tourism destinations and products through its websites and  publicity  and  promotional  material  produced  by  it  from  time  to time.

The details of the projects sanctioned under above schemes in North Eastern Region are as follows: -

(Amt. in crore)

|   Sl. No. | Scheme/ State                     | Circuit     | Project/ Year of Sanction                                                                                                 |   Amount Sanctioned |   Amount Released |
|-----------|-----------------------------------|-------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|-------------------|
|         1 | Swadesh Darshan Arunachal Pradesh | North- East | Development of Mega Circuit Bhalukpong-Bomdila- Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. 2014-15                                      |               49.76 |             36.18 |
|         2 | Swadesh Darshan Arunachal Pradesh | North- East | Integrated Development of New Adventure Tourism in Arunachal Pradesh under North East Circuit of Swadesh Darshan. 2015-16 |               97.13 |             74.27 |
|         3 | Swadesh Darshan Assam             | Wildlife    | Development of Manas - Probitora - Nameri - Kaziranga - Dibru - Saikhowa as Wildlife Circuit in Assam. 2015-16            |               95.67 |             43.05 |
|         4 | Swadesh Darshan Assam             | Heritage    | Development of Tezpur-Majuli- Sibsagar under Heritage Circuit. 2016-17                                                    |               98.35 |             19.67 |

|   5. | Swadesh Darshan Manipur   | North East   | Development of Tourist Circuit in Manipur-Imphal- Moirang-Khongjom- Moreh. 2015-16                                                                                         |   89.66 |   61.32 |
|------|---------------------------|--------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|---------|
|    6 | Swadesh Darshan Manipur   | Spiritual    | Development of Spiritual Circuit in Manipur- Shri. Govindajee Temple- Shri. Bijoy Govindajee Temple- Shri Gopinatha Temple- Shri Bungshibodon Temple-Kaina Temple. 2016-17 |   53.79 |   24.24 |
|    7 | Swadesh Darshan Meghalaya | North East   | Integrated Development of Umiam Lake view-U LumSohpetbneng- Mawdiangdiang orchid lake resort in Meghalaya. 2016-17                                                         |   99.13 |   44.61 |
|    8 | Swadesh Darshan Mizoram   | North East   | Integrated Development of New Eco Tourism North East Circuit at Thenzawl & South Zote, District Serchhip and Reiek. 2015-16                                                |   94.91 |   75.92 |
|    9 | Swadesh Darshan Mizoram   | Eco          | Development of Eco- Adventure CircuitAizawl - Rawpuichhip - Khawhphawp - Lengpui - Durtlang - Sakawrhmuituaitlang                                                          |   99.07 |   44.63 |

|    |                          |            | - Muthee - Chitelui - Beratlawng -Tuirial Airfield - Hmuifang. 2016-17                                                                                                        |       |       |
|----|--------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|-------|
| 10 | Swadesh Darshan Nagaland | Tribal     | Development of Tribal Circuit Peren- Kohima-Wokha, Nagaland 2015-16                                                                                                           | 97.36 | 72.05 |
| 11 | Swadesh Darshan Nagaland | Tribal     | Development of Tribal Circuit Mokokchung- Tuensang-Mon in Nagaland. 2016-17                                                                                                   | 99.66 | 49.83 |
| 12 | Swadesh Darshan Sikkim   | North East | Development of Tourist Circuit linking Rangpo (entry) - Rorathang- Aritar-Phadamchen- Nathang-Sherathang- Tsongmo- Gangtok- Phodong-Mangan- Lachung-Yumthang- Lachen. 2015-16 | 98.04 | 71.57 |
| 13 | Swadesh Darshan Sikkim   | North East | Development of Tourism Circuit in Sikkim- Singtam- Makha-Lingmoo- Yangang-Ravangla- Temi-Bermoik Tokal- Phongla-Namchi- Jorethang-Budang- Okharey-Sombaria- Daramdin. 2016-17 | 95.32 | 19.06 |
| 14 | Swadesh Darshan Tripura  | North East | Development of North East Circuit : Agartala - Sipahijala - Melaghar - Udaipur -                                                                                              | 99.58 | 49.79 |

|    |               | Amarpur - Tirthamukh - Mandirghat - Dumboor- NarikelKunja - Gandachara - Ambassa. 2015-16   |       |       |
|----|---------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|-------|
| 15 | PRASHAD Assam | Development of Kamakhya Temple and Pilgrimage Destination in and around Guwahati. 2015-16   | 33.98 | 16.99 |

(d): No proposal is under consideration to relax rules in restive areas like Arunachal Pradesh, some parts of Sikkim and Leh and Ladakh to promote tourism in these region.

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