Lok Sabha Question No. 414 (STARRED), answered on 2020-03-23
Subject: Assessment of Tourism Potential of NER
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Agatha K. Sangma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*414 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2020

## ASSESSMENT OF TOURISM POTENTIAL OF NER

- *414. KUMARI AGATHA K. SANGMA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has made any assessment of tourism potential of the North Eastern Region (NER) for development of tourism  there  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the details  of  the  tourism  sites  proposed  to  be  developed  for attracting  both  domestic  and  international  tourists  and  the response of the respective State Governments in this regard;
- (b) the  funds  allocated  for  the  development  of  tourism  in  the North  Eastern  States  during  the  last  three  years  and  the current year, State-wise; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  organise  fairs, festivals and exhibitions in the North-Eastern States during the next  financial  year  to  promote  tourism  and  if  so,  the  details thereof along with the funds allocated for the purpose, Statewise including Meghalaya?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

- (a) to (c):   A statement is laid on the table of the House.

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STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*414 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2020 REGARDING ASSESSMENT OF TOURISM POTENTIAL OF NER.

(a) & (b): The natural beauty, bio- diversity, exotic flora and fauna, spirit  of  universal  brotherhood and social fabric, wildlife are major factors that make a great potential for tourism development in the North East Region.

Ministry  of  Tourism  provides  Central  Financial  Assistance (CFA)  for  the  projects  as  submitted  by  the  State  Governments including the North East State under its various scheme guidelines subject to submission of Detailed Project Report (DPR) their adherence to scheme guidelines, submission of Utilization Certificates  and  availability  of  funds.  The  detail  of  the  projects sanctioned in the North East States in the last three years are given at Annexure-I.

(c): For promotion of tourism in North East Region Ministry carries out special promotion in domestic and international markets highlighting region's diversity, tourism products and its rich culture. The Ministry organizes International Travel Mart every year in one of the North eastern state with objective of providing platform to North Eastern States to showcase their tourism potential to perspective international and domestic buyers and opportunity to interact with them. Last year the 8th Edition of ITM was held in Manipur.

Ministry of Tourism also provides Central Financial Assistance under the relevant Scheme guidelines for the proposals submitted by the State Governments/Union Territories for organizing fairs/festivals/events. Ministry of Tourism does not allocate funds for fairs  and  festivals  for  the  future  financial  year.  The  State-wise details of funds sanctioned for fairs & festivals including Meghalaya for the year 2019-20 is given at Annexure-II.

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ANNEXURE-I

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS  (a)  &  (b)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO.*414 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2020 REGARDING ASSESSMENT OF TOURISM POTENTIAL OF NER.

List of projects sanctioned under Swadesh  Darshan  &  PRASHAD Schemes for North Eastern Region

(Rs. in crore)

| S. No.   | State/UT          | Circuit             | Name of Project                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | Sanction Amt.   |
|----------|-------------------|---------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|
|          | 2015-16           |                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                 |
| 1        | Manipur           | North- East Circuit | Development of Tourist Circuit in Manipur: Imphal- Khongjom.                                                                                                                                                                                     | 72.23           |
| 2        | Sikkim            | North- East Circuit | Development of Tourist Circuit linking Rangpo (entry) - Rorathang- Aritar- Phadamchen- Nathang-Sherathang- Tsongmo- Gangtok-Phodong- Mangan- Lachung-Yumthang- Lachen- Thangu-Gurudongmer- Mangan- Gangtok-TuminLingee- Singtam (exit) in Sikkim | 98.05           |
| 3        | Nagaland          | Tribal Circuit      | Development of Tribal Circuit Peren- Kohima-Wokha, Nagaland                                                                                                                                                                                      | 97.36           |
| 4        | Mizoram           | North East Circuit  | Integrated Development of New Eco Tourism under Swadesh Darshan-North East Circuit at Thenzawl& South Zote, District Serchhip and Reiek, Mizoram.                                                                                                | 94.91           |
| 5        | Assam             | Wildlife Circuit    | Development of Manas- Probitora- Nameri- Kaziranga- Dibru- Saikhowa as Wildlife Circuit in Assam                                                                                                                                                 | 95.67           |
| 6        | Arunachal Pradesh | North East Circuit  | Integrated Development of New Adventure Tourism in Arunachal Pradesh                                                                                                                                                                             | 97.14           |
| 7        | Tripura           | North East Circuit  | Development of North East Circuit : Agartala - Sipahijala - Melaghar - Udaipur - Amarpur- Tirthamukh- Mandirghat- Dumboor- NarikelKunja-                                                                                                         | 99.59           |

|    |           |                    | Gandachara- Ambassa in Tripura                                                                                                                                                                                           |         |
|----|-----------|--------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|
|    | 2016-17   | 2016-17            | 2016-17                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | 2016-17 |
| 8  | Meghalaya | North East circuit | Development of Umium (Lake View), U LumSohpetbneng- Mawdiangdiang - Orchid Lake Resort, Meghalaya                                                                                                                        | 99.13   |
| 9  | Manipur   | Spiritual circuit  | Development of Spiritual Circuit - Shri Govindajee Temple, Shri Bijoy Govindajee Temple - Shri Gopinath Temple - Shri Bungshibodon Temple - Shri Kaina Temple, Manipur                                                   | 53.80   |
| 10 | Sikkim    | North East circuit | Development of Tourist Circuit Linking Singtam- Maka- Temi- Bermoik Tokel- Phongia- Namchi -Jorthang- Okharey- Sombaria-Daramdin- Jorethang- Melli (Exit) in Sikkim.                                                     | 95.32   |
| 11 | Nagaland  | Tribal circuit     | Development of Tribal circuit (Mokokchung-Tuensang-Mon) in Nagaland                                                                                                                                                      | 99.67   |
| 12 | Assam     | Heritage circuit   | Development of Tezpur - Majuli - Sibsagar as Heritage Circuit in Assam under Swadesh Darshan Scheme                                                                                                                      | 98.35   |
| 13 | Mizoram   | Eco- Tourism       | Development of Eco-Adventure Circuit Aizawl -Rawpuichhip - Khawhphawp - Lengpui - Durtlang - Chatlang- Sakawrhmuituaitlang - Muthee - Beratlawng -Tuirial Airfield - Hmuifang under Eco Circuit theme of Swadesh Darshan | 99.07   |
|    | 2018-19   | 2018-19            | 2018-19                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | 2018-19 |
| 14 | Tripura   | North East circuit | Development of North East circuit: Surma Cherra- Unakoti- Jampui Hills- Gunabati- Bhunaneshwari- Matabari- Neermahal- Boxanagar- Chottakhola- Pilak- Avangchaarra in Tripura                                             | 65.00   |
| 15 | Meghalaya | North East         | Development of West Khasi Hills (Nongkhlaw- KremTirot -                                                                                                                                                                  | 84.97   |

| circuit   | Khudoi&Kohmang Falls - Khri River- Mawthadraishan, Shillong), Jaintia Hills (Krang Suri Falls- Shyrmang- Iooksi), Garo Hills (Nokrek Reserve, Katta Beel, Siju Caves)   |
|-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

## PRASHAD Scheme

## (Rs. in crore)

| Sl. No.   | State    | Name of the project                                                              | Amt. Sanctioned   |
|-----------|----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|
|           | 2015-16  |                                                                                  |                   |
| 1         | Assam    | Development of Kamakhya Temple and Pilgrimage Destination in and around Guwahati | 30.71             |
|           | 2018-19  |                                                                                  |                   |
| 2         | Nagaland | Development of Pilgrimage Facilities in Nagaland                                 | 25.26             |

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## ANNEXURE-II

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO.*414 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2020 REGARDING ASSESSMENT OF TOURISM POTENTIAL OF NER.

List of Fairs & Festivals in North Eastern Region for the year 2019-20

(Rs. in Lakh)

| Sl. No.   | Name of State     | Name of Fairs & Festivals                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |   Amount sanctioned |
|-----------|-------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
| 1         | Tripura           | (i) Kharchi Mela held at Old Agartala, Khayerpur- 12 th to 18 th July, 2019-Rs.25.00 lakh (ii) Neermahal Festival held at Melaghar, Seapahijala, Tripura- 24 th to 27 th August, 2019 for Rs.2.00 lakh (iii) Diwali Mela held at Matabari, Udaipur-28 th to 29 th October, 2019 for Rs.15.00 |                  42 |
| 2         | Mizoram           | organizing Anthurium Festival in September, 2019 in the State of Mizoram in 2019-20 & Winter Festival                                                                                                                                                                                        |                  50 |
| 3         | Sikkim            | CFA for Organizing World Tourism Day, Gangtok- 27 th September, 2019 & Red Panda Winter Festival - December, 2019 in the State of Sikkim in the 2019- 20.                                                                                                                                    |                  50 |
| 4         | Arunachal Pradesh | CFA for organizing River Tribe's Angling Festival-2019 & Butterfly Meet at MIAO-2019 in the State of Arunachal Pradesh in 2019-20                                                                                                                                                            |                  50 |
| 5         | Nagaland          | CFA organizing Thuwu-Ni Festival, Hornbill Festival & Sukhrunye Festival- 2019 in the State of Nagaland in 2019- 20                                                                                                                                                                          |                  50 |
| 6         | Manipur           | (i)Sangai Festival- Rs.25.00 lakh (ii)Youth Adventure & Water Sports festival-Rs.25.00                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                  50 |
| 7         | Meghalaya         | (i)Wangala Dance- Rs.25.00 (ii)Nongkrem Dance Festival-Rs.25.00 lakh                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |                  50 |
|           |                   | Total                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |                 342 |

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