Lok Sabha Question No. 3548 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-15
Subject: Tourism Circuits in NER
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Pratima Bhoumik

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3548 ANSWERED ON 15.07.2019

## TOURISM CIRCUITS IN NER

## 3548. SHRIMATI PRATIMA BHOMIK:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any tourism circuit was developed during the last five years  in  the  North  Eastern  States  of  India  i.e.  Arunachal Pradesh,  Nagaland,  Manipur,  Meghalaya,  Assam,  Tripura  & Mizoram to boost the tourists inflow in these States and if so, the State-wise details of the funds allocated & utilized in these tourism circuits;
- (b) whether  there  was  any  hindrance  in  free  flow  of  tourists  in these seven States and if so, the steps taken by the Government to solve the issue;
- (c) whether Government has any data with regard to the revenue generated  on  account  of  the  tourists  footfall  in  these  seven North-Eastern States and if so, the State-wise details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether the Government has any specific plans for the NorthEastern State local tour operators, tour guides and the chance of benefit likely to take place by these circuits?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Ministry  of  Tourism  under  Swadesh  Darshan  -  Integrated Development  of  Theme-Based  Tourist  Circuits  has  sanctioned  16 projects in  the  North  Eastern  States  of  the  country,  the  details  of the same are annexed.

- (b): Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has declared five North Eastern States viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim (partly  in  Protected  Area  and  Partly  in  Restricted  Area)  as  the protected and restricted areas. However, MHA (Foreigners Division) vide  circular  dt  14.09.2019  has  relaxed  Restricted  Area  Permit (RAP)  and  Protected  Area  Permit  (PAP)  for  Manipur,  Mizoram  and Nagaland upto 31.12.2022.
- (c): Ministry does not compile the data of revenue generated from tourism  footfall  in  the  country.  However,  Ministry  compiles  the Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) from tourism. The details of same during last three years are as follows:

(Rs. Crore)

| Year   |   2016 |   2017 | 2018     |
|--------|--------|--------|----------|
| FEEs   | 154146 | 177874 | 194882 # |

#Provisional

- (d): With  the  objective  to  promote  tourism  in  the  North  Eastern Region, the Ministry has carried out following initiatives to support the local travel industry:
-  Ministry  has  given  relaxations  to  North  Eastern  Region  Tour Operators/travel agents in the form of paid up capital, educational qualifications, turn over in foreign  exchange earnings  when  they  apply  for  recognition/renewal  of  their agency.
-  The  Ministry  under  the  Marketing  Development  Assistance Scheme provides financial assistance to approved stakeholders and Tourism Departments of States/Union Territories  for  undertaking  tourism  promotion  activities  in overseas markets, including Sales-cum-Study Tours, Participation  in  Travel  Fairs/Exhibitions  and  Production  of Publicity Material.
-  Ministry organizes International Travel Mart (ITM) 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 Edition (7 th ) of ITM was held in November 2018 in Agartala, Tripura.

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ANNEXURE STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.3548  ANSWERED  ON  15.07.2019  REGARDING  TOURISM CIRCUITS IN NER

## THE DETAILS OF PROJECTS SANCTIONED UNDER SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME IN NORTH EASTERN STATES

(Rs. in crores)

| S. No.   | State             | Circuit    | Name of Project                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | Sanction Amount   | Released Amount   |
|----------|-------------------|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
| 2014-15  | 2014-15           | 2014-15    | 2014-15                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | 2014-15           | 2014-15           |
| 1.       | Arunachal Pradesh | North East | Development of Bhalukpong - Bomdila & Tawang                                                                                                                                                                                             | 49.77             | 39.81             |
| 2015-16  | 2015-16           | 2015-16    | 2015-16                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | 2015-16           | 2015-16           |
| 2.       | Manipur           | North East | Development of Imphal- Khongjom                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 72.23             | 61.32             |
| 3.       | Sikkim            | North East | 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) | 98.05             | 78.44             |
| 4.       | Nagaland          | Tribal     | Development of Peren- Kohima-Wokha                                                                                                                                                                                                       | 97.36             | 77.89             |
| 5.       | Mizoram           | North East | Integrated Development of New Eco Tourism at Thenzawl & South Zote, District Serchhip and Reiek, Mizoram                                                                                                                                 | 94.91             | 75.92             |
| 6.       | Assam             | Wildlife   | Development of Manas- Probitora- Nameri- Kaziranga- Dibru- Saikhowa                                                                                                                                                                      | 95.67             | 76.54             |

| 7.      | Arunachal Pradesh   | North East   | Development of New Adventure Tourism in Arunachal Pradesh                                                                                                 | 97.14   | 77.71   |
|---------|---------------------|--------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|---------|
| 8.      | Tripura             | North East   | Development of Agartala - Sipahijala - Melaghar - Udaipur - Amarpur- Tirthamukh- Mandirghat- Dumboor- Narikel Kunja- Gandachara- Ambassa                  | 99.59   | 74.15   |
| 2016-17 | 2016-17             | 2016-17      | 2016-17                                                                                                                                                   | 2016-17 | 2016-17 |
| 9.      | Meghalaya           | North East   | Development of Umium (Lake View), U Lum Sohpetbneng Mawdiangdiang - Orchid Lake Resort,                                                                   | 99.13   | 73.69   |
| 10.     | Manipur             | Spiritual    | Development of Shri Govindajee Temple, Shri Bijoy Govindajee Temple - Shri Gopinath Temple - Shri Bungshibodon Temple - Shri Kaina Temple                 | 53.80   | 40.14   |
| 11.     | Sikkim              | North East   | Development of Tourist Circuit Linking Singtam- Maka- Temi-Bermoik Tokel- Phongia- Namchi -Jorthang- Okharey- Sombaria-Daramdin- Jorethang- Melli (Exit)  | 95.32   | 73.22   |
| 12.     | Nagaland            | Tribal       | Development of Mokokchung-Tuensang- Mon                                                                                                                   | 99.67   | 78.09   |
| 13.     | Mizoram             | Eco          | Development of Aizawl - Rawpuichhip - Khawhphawp - Lengpui - Durtlang - Chatlang- Sakawrhmuituaitlang - Muthee - Beratlawng - Tuirial Airfield - Hmuifang | 99.07   | 49.53   |
| 14.     | Assam               | Heritage     | Development of Tezpur -                                                                                                                                   | 98.35   | 19.67   |

|         |           |            | Majuli - Sibsagar                                                                                                                                                                                                                |         |         |
|---------|-----------|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|---------|
| 2018-19 | 2018-19   | 2018-19    | 2018-19                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 2018-19 | 2018-19 |
| 15      | Tripura   | North East | Development of Surma Cherra- Unakoti- Jampui Hills- Gunabati- Bhunaneshwari- Matabari- Neermahal- Boxanagar- Chotta khola- Pilak- Avangchaarra                                                                                   | 65.00   | 0.00    |
| 16.     | Meghalaya | North East | Development of West Khasi Hills (Nongkhlaw- Krem Tirot - Khudoi & Kohmang Falls - Khri River- Mawthadraishan, Shillong), Jaintia Hills (Krang Suri Falls- Shyrmang- Iooksi), Garo Hills (Nokrek Reserve, Katta Beel, Siju Caves) | 84.97   | 0.00    |
| TOTAL   | TOTAL     | TOTAL      | TOTAL                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | 1400.03 | 896.12  |

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