Lok Sabha Question No. 1292 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-11
Subject: Promotion of Rural Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, P.R. SUNDARAM, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1292 ANSWERED ON 11.02.2019

## PROMOTION OF RURAL TOURISM

## 1292. SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM:

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  not  been  able  to  develop  rural tourism in the country to the desired extent though the country has a huge potential, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b) the  objectives  and  the  success  achieved  since  the  inception  of Rural Tourism Scheme;
- (c) the  criteria  adopted  for  providing  Central  Financial  Assistance (CFA) thereunder for development of rural sites;
- (d) the details of the funds sanctioned/released and utilised for Rural Tourism Projects out of the proposals received during each of the last  three  years  and  the  current  year  indicating  the  status  of completed projects, State/UT-wise;
- (e) whether problems are being faced by the Government in execution of  such  projects  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the measures taken by the Government to remove such problems/obstacles; and
- (f) the  further  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  focus  on  rural tourism  to  generate  employment,  income  and  promoting  new destinations by exhibiting ancient heritage and culture of the hills along with providing connectivity to rural areas?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

(SHRI K.J. ALPHONS)

(a) to (f): The Ministry of Tourism has launched the Swadesh Darshan Scheme for Integrated Development of theme-based Tourist Circuits for development of tourism infrastructure including last mile connectivity in the country.  Recognizing the potential of rural tourism in the country, the  Ministry  has  identified  Rural  Circuit  as  one  of  thematic  circuits identified for development under this scheme and is aimed at leveraging tourism as a force multiplier for revitalizing the rural economy and  for giving  both  domestic  and  international  tourists  a  glimpse  of  the  rural aspect of the country.

The  projects  for  development  of  tourism  related  infrastructure, including rural tourism projects/proposals, are identified for development under  the  circuit  in  consultation  with  the  State  Governments/UTs  and are  sanctioned  subject  to  availability  of  funds,  submission  of  suitable detailed project reports, adherence of scheme guidelines and utilization of funds released earlier.

Based on the above criteria, the Ministry has sanctioned following projects for development of Rural Circuits under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme which are under different stages of implementation:

(Rs. in Crore)

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

The objectives of  the  Swadesh  Darshan  scheme include creating employment  through  active  involvement  of  local  communities  and promoting community-based development and pro-poor tourism approach.

The  Ministry  of  Tourism  promotes  India  as  a  holistic  destination including  ancient  heritage  &  culture  as  part  of  its  on-going  activities, releases  print,  electronic,  online  and  outdoor  media  campaigns  in  the domestic  and  international  markets,  under  the  Incredible  India  brandline,  to  promote  tourism  products  and  destinations  of  the  country including Rural Tourism. The  Ministry  also  promotes  the  tourism destinations and  products  through  its  websites  and  publicity  and promotional material produced by it from time to time.

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