Lok Sabha Question No. 205 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Development of Rural Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE, M. B. RAJESH, REKHA ARUN VERMA, BHAVANA GAWALI (PATIL)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†205 ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

## DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL TOURISM

## †205. SHRI KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE:

SHRI M.B. RAJESH:

SHRIMATI REKHA VERMA:

SHRIMATI BHAVANA PUNDALIKRAO GAWALI PATIL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  is  an  immense  potential  for  development  of rural tourism in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has formulated any scheme for the promotion of rural tourism in the country and if so, the details thereof along with the status of rural tourism projects implemented/ sanctioned in this regard State/UT-wise;
- (c) whether the Government has received any proposals from the States/UTs in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the number of villages identified and developed as rural tourist spots under rural tourism during the last three years and the current year State/UT-wise; and
- (e) the  details  of  funds  allocated  and  expenditure  incurred  on such projects during the last three years and the current year, project-wise and year-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): Rural  tourism  has  been  identified  as  one  of  the  Niche Tourism  areas  for  development  in  the  country  by  the  Ministry  of Tourism.

Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, the Ministry is developing  theme-  based  tourism  circuits  in  the  country.  Rural Circuit is one of the fifteen thematic circuits identified for development under the Scheme.

Submission  of  project  proposals  by  the  State  Governments/ Union  Territory  (UT)  Administrations  under  the  Swadesh  Darshan Scheme  is  a  continuous  process.  The  projects  for  development under  the  scheme  are  identified  in  consultation  with  the  State Governments/UT  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  by  the  Ministry  of Tourism under the Rural Circuit theme are as below:

(Rs. in crore)

|   Sl. No. | State/Year of Sanction   | Name of the Project                                |   Amount Sanctioned |   Amount Released |
|-----------|--------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|---------------------|-------------------|
|         1 | Bihar 2017-18            | Development of Bhitiharwa - Chandrahia - Turkaulia |               44.65 |              8.93 |
|         2 | Kerala 2018-19           | Development of Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism      |               80.37 |              0    |

The above projects are at different stages of implementation.

For the promotion of rural tourism in the country, the Ministry of Tourism undertakes several promotional activities in the domestic and international markets. As part of its marketing/promotional  activities,  the  Ministry  produces  publicity material  and  collaterals  in  English  and  foreign  languages  and releases print, electronic and online media campaigns in important and potential markets under the 'Incredible India' brand-line. Promotions  are  also  undertaken  through  the  website  and  social media accounts of the Ministry.

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