Lok Sabha Question No. 3205 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-15
Subject: Promotion of Eco-Tourism in Odisha
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Achyutananda Samanta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3205

## ANSWERED ON 15.03.2021

## PROMOTION OF ECO-TOURISM IN ODISHA

## 3205. SHRI ACHYUTANANDA SAMANTA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  identified  specific  locations  in Odisha  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  eco-tourism,  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  taken  steps  to  develop  and promote eco-tourism in Odisha; and
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Eco-tourism has been identified as one of the Niche Tourism areas  for  development  in  the  country,  including  Odisha,  by  the Ministry of Tourism.

The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  launched  the  Swadesh  Darshan Scheme for the development of tourism related  infrastructure  and facilities in the country. Recognizing the potential for the development of Eco tourism in the country, the Ministry of Tourism has identified 'Eco Circuit' as one of the 15 thematic circuits under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.

The projects under the Swadesh Darshan 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. Submission of project proposals by the State Governments and its sanctioning is a continuous process.

No  proposal  has  so  far  been  received  by  the  Ministry  of Tourism  from  State  Government  of  Odisha  for  development  under Eco Tourism.

The details of projects sanctioned under the Eco Circuit theme of Swadesh Darshan scheme in the country are given below:-

| State/Year of Sanction   | Details                                                                                                                                                                          |   Amount Sanctioned (in Rs. Crores) |
|--------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|
| Uttarakhand (2015-16)    | Development of Circuit at Tehri- Chamba- Sarain around Tehri Lake.                                                                                                               |                               69.17 |
| Telangana (2015-16)      | Development of Circuit in Mahaboobnagar districts (Somasila, Singotam, Kadalaivanam, Akkamahadevi, Egalanpanta, Farahabad, Uma Maheshwaram, Mallelatheertham)                    |                               91.62 |
| Kerala (2015-16)         | Development of Pathanamthitta- Gavi- Vagamon- Thekkady                                                                                                                           |                               76.55 |
| Mizoram (2016-17)        | Development of Eco-Adventure Circuit at Aizawl -Rawpuichhip - Khawhphawp - Lengpui - Durtlang - Chatlang- Sakawrhmuituaitlang - Muthee - Beratlawng -Tuirial Airfield - Hmuifang |                               99.07 |
| Madhya Pradesh (2017-18) | Development of Gandhisagar Dam- Mandleshwar Dam- Omkareshwar Dam- Indira Sagar Dam- Tawa Dam- Bargi Dam- BhedaGhat- Bansagar Dam- Ken River.                                     |                               94.61 |
| Jharkhand (2018-19)      | Development of Dalma- Chandil- Getalsud- BetlaNational park- Mirchaiya-Netarhat.                                                                                                 |                               52.72 |

(b) & (c): Ministry  of  Tourism  has  taken  several  steps  to  develop and  promote  eco-tourism  in  the  country,  including  Odisha,  which inter alia include the following:

- (i) Evolved  &  adopted  Comprehensive Sustainable  Tourism Criteria for India (STCI) for  major  segments  of  the tourism industry, namely accommodation, tour operators, Beaches, Backwaters, Lakes & Rivers sectors, applicable for the entire country.
- (ii) Guidelines for approval of Hotel Projects at the implementation stage and also for Classification/ Reclassification of operational hotels under various categories mandate incorporation of various eco-friendly measures  like  installation  of  Sewage  Treatment  Plant, Rain water Harvesting, Waste Management  System, Pollution Control and Introduction of non Chlorofluorocarbon  equipment  for  refrigeration  and  air conditioners, energy and water conservation measures.
- (iii) Promoting  Eco-Tourism  inter-alia  through  domestic  and international campaigns and also by supporting seminars, conference and events focusing on development of Eco-Tourism in the country, from time to time.

Apart from the above, Government of Odisha has also taken a number of steps for  development  and  promotion  of  eco-tourism  in the State. In this connection a MoU has been signed between State Forest & Environment Department and State Tourism Department in the year 2017 under which State Forest and Environment Department has been developing, operating and managing accommodation units in forest areas and taking care of infrastructure development therein. State Tourism Department has been  promoting  and  marketing  these  eco-tourism  hot  spots  to attract high-end tourists to these locations through production and broadcast  of  TV  commercials,  advertisements  in  the  print  media, website, social media platforms, road shows, outdoor branding and investors meet.  Special Initiatives like organization of Wildlife Trail in  association  with  Times  Passion  Trail,  Chilika  Bird  Festival  at Mangalajodi, etc. have also been undertaken. Besides, quite a good number  of  persons  have  been  trained  as  Eco-Guides  and  issued guide license for the same. Community members managing the ecocamps  have  been  provided  special  orientation  training.    State

Tourism Department has also sanctioned funds for development of eco-tourism sites such as Debjharan Waterfall and for procurement of  Floating  Jetty  and  Fiber  Boats  for  eco-tourism  sites  such  as

Debrigarh, Bhitarakanika Nature Camps, Satkosia, Deras, etc.

During the year 2016, State Forest & Environment Department, prioritizing the need of getting support of forest dependent communities for forest & wildlife conservation, initiated "Community  Managed  Nature  Tourism"  in  Odisha.  A  five  year scheme (2016-17 to 2020-21) was approved by State Government for development  of  Eco-tourism  with  budgetary  allocation  of  Rs.  56 Crores.  Forest dependent communities were made stakeholders in ecotourism projects and major share of revenue generated from the Eco-tourism projects is given to them as their wages, for recurring expenses of the Nature Camps, infrastructure development, developmental  works  in  villages  etc.    Booking  for  all  the  Ecotourism  destinations  is  through  a  portal www.ecotourodisha.com. Tourists  from  all  over  the  world  can  book  their  stay  in  any  Ecotourism destination of Odisha. Activities likes Jungle Safari, Cycling, Trekking,  Sports,  Cultural  Programmes,  Library,  Souvenir  Shop, Birding, Boating, Firm visit, Wildlife Watch etc. are also functioning in different Eco-tourism destinations according to suitability of the landscape.

******