Lok Sabha Question No. 3512 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-15
Subject: Wildlife and Forest Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Sanjay Seth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3512 ANSWERED ON 15.07.2019

## WILDLIFE AND FOREST TOURISM

## 3512. SHRI SANJAY SETH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  any  scheme  has  been  formulated  for  sustainable wildlife and forest tourism in the country;
- (b) if  so,  the details thereof along with the scope of the same in various States/UTs including Jharkhand;
- (c) whether  any  scheme  has  been  put  in  place  to  involve  local communities as stakeholders in the development of sustainable wildlife and forest tourism; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  funds  provided  by  the Government  for  promoting  sustainable  wildlife  and  forest tourism  during  the  last  three  years,  State/UT-wise  including Jharkhand?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change (MoEFCC)  has  prepared  a  'Policy  on  Ecotourism  in  Forest  and Wildlife  Areas'  with  the  main  objective  of  adopting  low  impact nature tourism which  ensures ecological integrity by way  of engaging  local  communities'  living  in  and  around  Protected  Areas and other forest areas eventually enabling the people to earn their livelihood from Ecotourism activities.

Ministry  of  Tourism  under  its  scheme  of  Swadesh  DarshanIntegrated Development of Theme-Based Tourist Circuits has identified Wildlife and Eco Circuits among fifteen thematic circuits for  development. The above circuits cover National Parks, Wildlife

Sanctuaries, Natural heritage sites and Reserves in the country.

The  projects  under the  above  scheme  are  identified for development  in  consultation  with  the  State  Governments/Union Territory Administrations and are sanctioned subject to availability of funds, submission of suitable Detailed Project Reports, adherence to scheme guidelines and utilization of funds released earlier.  The details  of  the  projects  sanctioned  under  the  Eco  and  Wildlife Circuits of Swadesh Darshan Scheme in various states/UTs including the State of Jharkhand is at Annexure.

The Ministry of Tourism promotes India as a holistic destination  under  the  Incredible  India  brand-line.  The  Ministry  of Tourism, as part of its on-going activities, releases print, electronic, online  and  outdoor  media  campaigns  in  the  international  and domestic  markets  to  promote  various  tourism  destinations  and products of the country including National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries,  Natural  heritage  sites  and  Reserves.  Promotions  are also undertaken through the Social Media accounts and website of the Ministry.

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ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3512 ANSWERED ON 15.07.2019 REGARDING WILDLIFE AND FOREST TOURISM.

THE  DETAILS  OF  THE  PROJECTS  SANCTIONED  UNDER  THE  ECO AND WILDLIFE CIRCUIT OF SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME

(Rs. in crore)

| S. No.           | Name of State/ Sanction Year   | Project Name                                                                                                                                                                                     | Amount Sanctioned   |
|------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
| WILDLIFE CIRCUIT | WILDLIFE CIRCUIT               | WILDLIFE CIRCUIT                                                                                                                                                                                 | WILDLIFE CIRCUIT    |
| 1.               | Madhya Pradesh (2015-16)       | Development of Wildlife Circuit at Panna-Mukundpur-Sanjay-Dubri- Bandhavgarh-Kanha-Mukki-Pench in Madhya Pradesh.                                                                                | 92.22               |
| 2.               | Assam (2015-16)                | Development of Manas - Probitora - Nameri - Kaziranga - Dibru - Saikhowa as Wildlife Circuit in Assam.                                                                                           | 95.67               |
| ECO CIRCUIT      | ECO CIRCUIT                    | ECO CIRCUIT                                                                                                                                                                                      | ECO CIRCUIT         |
| 3.               | Uttarakhand (2015-16)          | Integrated Development of Eco- Tourism, Adventure Sports, Associated Tourism related Infrastructure for Development of Tehri Lake & Surroundings as New Destination-District Tehri, Uttarakhand. | 70.92               |
| 4.               | Telangana (2015-16)            | Integrated Development of Eco Tourism Circuit in Mahaboobnagar district, Telangana.                                                                                                              | 91.62               |
| 5.               | Kerala (2015-16)               | Development of Pathanamthitta - Gavi - Vagamon - Thekkady as Eco Tourism Circuit in Idduki and Pathanamthitta Districts in Kerala.                                                               | 76.55               |
| 6.               | Mizoram (2016-17)              | Development of Eco-Adventure Circuit Aizawl -Rawpuichhip - Khawhphawp - Lengpui - Durtlang -                                                                                                     | 99.07               |

|    |                          | Chatlang- Sakawrhmuituaitlang - Muthee - Beratlawng -Tuirial Airfield - Hmuifang' in Mizoram under Eco circuit theme of Swadesh Darshan Scheme                                                 |       |
|----|--------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|
|  7 | Madhya Pradesh (2017-18) | Development of Gandhisagar Dam- Mandleshwar Dam- Omkareshwar Dam- Indira Sagar Dam- Tawa Dam- Bargi Dam- Bheda Ghat- Bansagar Dam- Ken River under Eco circuit theme of Swadesh Darshan Scheme | 99.62 |
|  8 | Jharkhand (2018-19)      | Development of Eco Circuit: Dalma- Chandil- Getalsud- Betla national park- Mirchaiya- Netarhat in Jharkhand under Swadesh Darshan Scheme                                                       | 52.72 |

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