Lok Sabha Question No. 2334 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-08
Subject: Policy for Promotion for Eco-Tourism and Heritage Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2334

## LOK SABHA ANSWERED ON 08.07.2019

## POLICY FOR PROMOTION FOR ECO-TOURISM AND HERITAGE TOURISM

## †2334. SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is preparing any policy/guidelines for promotion of eco-tourism/heritage tourism in the country on its own or through Public-Private Partnership (PPP);
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof,  State-wise  including Himalayan and North-Eastern  Region  (NER)  along  with  the  names  of  the forests, villages/locations selected in this regard and the steps taken  by  the  Government  to  promote  eco-tourism  in  the country;
- (c) the  details  of  the  amount  of  Central  financial  assistance allocated  and  spent  for  the  promotion  of  eco-tourism  during the last five years, State/UT-wise;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  received  proposals  from  State Governments  for  the  development  and  promotion  of  ecotourism; and
- (e) if  so,  the  details  thereof,  State-wise  along  with  the  present status of the said proposals?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): Promotion  and  development  of  tourism  including  EcoTourism and Heritage Tourism is primarily the responsibility of the State  Governments/Union  Territory  Administrations.  However,  the Ministry  of  Tourism  has  taken  several  initiatives  to  boost  tourism including Eco-Tourism and Heritage Tourism in the country.

The 'Adopt A Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan', initiative is a collaborative effort by Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture  and  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI),  State  /  UTs Governments,  for  promotion  of  Heritage  Tourism  which  envisages developing  heritage  sites  and  making  them  tourist  friendly,  to enhance tourism potential and cultural importance in a planned and phased  manner.  It  aims  to  encourage  public  sector  companies, private sector companies and corporate citizens / NGOs / individuals to  take  up  the  responsibility  as  a  Public  Private  Partnership  (PPP) venture. A total of 11 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) have been  signed  so  far  which  cover  Eco  Tourism  and  Heritage  Sites under this scheme.

In addition, the Ministry of Tourism has launched the Swadesh Darshan Scheme for the development of tourism related infrastructure  and  facilities  in  the  country.  Under  the  Swadesh Darshan  Scheme,  15  themes  have  been  identified  for  developing theme  based  circuits.  These  themes  include  Buddhist  Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Desert Circuit, Eco Circuit, Heritage Circuit, Himalayan  Circuit,  Krishna  Circuit,  North-East  Circuit,  Ramayana Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Sufi Circuit, Tirthankar Circuit,  Tribal  Circuit  and  Wildlife  Circuit.  The  list  of  projects sanctioned  under  the  Himalayan,  Eco-Tourism,  North  East  and Heritage themes are given at Annexure.

The submission of project proposals by the State Governments  /  UT  Administrations  under  the  Swadesh  Darshan Scheme  is  a  continuous  process.  The  projects  are  sanctioned subject  to  availability  of  funds,  liquidation  of  pending  Utilisation Certificates,  submission  of  suitable  Detailed  Project  Report  and adherence to the scheme guidelines for creating tourist infrastructure facilities for public good.

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ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA QUESTION NO.†2334 ANSWERED ON 08.07.2019 REGARDING POLICY FOR PROMOTION FOR ECO-TOURISM AND HERITAGE TOURISM

DETAILS OF PROJECTS OF ECO CIRCUIT, HIMALAYAN CIRCUIT, NORTHEAST CIRCUIT AND HERITAGE CIRCUITS SANCTIONED UNDER SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME

| Sl. No.      | State/UT          | Name of the Circuit   | Name of the Project                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | Amount Sanctioned (Rs. in Crore)   |
|--------------|-------------------|-----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| Year 2014-15 | Year 2014-15      | Year 2014-15          | Year 2014-15                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | Year 2014-15                       |
| 1.           | Arunachal Pradesh | North-East Circuit    | Development of Mega Circuit at Bhalukpong- Bomdila and Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.                                                                                                                                                                 | 49.77                              |
| Year 2015-16 | Year 2015-16      | Year 2015-16          | Year 2015-16                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | Year 2015-16                       |
| 2.           | Manipur           | North-East Circuit    | Development of Tourist Circuit in Manipur: Imphal- Khongjom                                                                                                                                                                                         | 72.23                              |
| 3.           | Sikkim            | North-East Circuit    | 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) in Sikkim. | 98.05                              |
| 4.           | Uttarakhand       | Eco Circuit           | Integrated Development of Eco-Tourism, Adventure Sports, Associated Tourism related Infrastructure for Development of Tehri Lake & Surroundings as New Destination-District                                                                         | 70.92                              |

|              |                   |                    | Tehri, Uttarakhand.                                                                                                                        |              |
|--------------|-------------------|--------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|
| 6.           | Kerala            | Eco Circuit        | Telangana. Development of Pathanamthitta- Gavi- Vagamon- Thekkady as Eco Tourism Circuit in Idduki and Pathanamthitta Districts in Kerala. | 76.55        |
| 7.           | Mizoram           | North East Circuit | Integrated Development of New Eco Tourism under Swadesh Darshan- North East Circuit at Thenzawl & South Zote, District Serchhip and        | 94.91        |
| 8.           | Arunachal Pradesh | North East Circuit | Reiek, Mizoram. Integrated Development of New Adventure                                                                                    | 97.14        |
| 9.           | Tripura           | North East Circuit | Tourism in Arunachal Pradesh Development of North East Circuit : Agartala - Sipahijala - Melaghar -                                        | 99.59        |
| Year 2016-17 | Year 2016-17      | Year 2016-17       | Year 2016-17                                                                                                                               | Year 2016-17 |
| 10.          | Jammu & Kashmir   | Himalayan Circuit  | Integrated Development of Tourism Infrastructure Projects in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.                                               | 82.97        |
| 11.          | Meghalaya         | North East Circuit | Development of Umium (Lake View), U Lum Sohpetbneng- Mawdiangdiang - Orchid Lake Resort, Meghalaya.                                        | 99.13        |

|   12. | Gujarat         | Heritage Circuit   | Development of Heritage Circuit in Ahmedabad- Rajkot- Porbandar -Bardoli- Dandi in Gujarat.                                                                         |   85.01 |
|-------|-----------------|--------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|
|    13 | Sikkim          | North East circuit | Development of Tourist Circuit Linking Singtam- Maka- Temi-Bermoik Tokel- Phongia- Namchi -Jorthang- Okharey- Sombaria-Daramdin- Jorethang- Melli (Exit) in Sikkim. |   95.32 |
|    14 | Madhya Pradesh  | Heritage circuit   | Development of Heritage Circuit (Gwalior - Orchha - Khajuraho - Chanderi - Bhimbetka - Mandu) Madhya Pradesh                                                        |   92.97 |
|    15 | Uttarakhand     | Heritage circuit   | Integrated Development of Heritage Circuit in Kumaon Region - Katarmal -Jogeshwar- Baijnath-Devidhura in Uttarakhand.                                               |   79.13 |
|    16 | Jammu & Kashmir | Himalayan Circuit  | Integrated Development of Tourist Facilities at Jammu-Rajouri-Shopian- Pulwama under Himalayan Circuit theme in J&K.                                                |   96.38 |
|    17 | Jammu & Kashmir | Himalayan Circuit  | Integrated Development of Tourist Facilities under the Construction of Assets in lieu of those Destroyed in Floods in 2014 under PM Development Package for J&K     |   90.96 |
|    18 | Jammu & Kashmir | Himalayan Circuit  | Integrated Development of Tourist facilities at Mantalai- Sudhmahadev- Patnitop under                                                                               |   97.82 |

|    |                  |                   | Himalayan Circuit Theme in J&K.                                                                                                                                                                                           |       |
|----|------------------|-------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|
| 19 | Jammu & Kashmir  | Himalayan Circuit | Integrated Development of Tourist Facilities at Anantnag- Kishtwar- Pahalgam - Daksum - Ranjit Sagar Dam under Himalayan Circuit Theme in J&K.                                                                            | 96.39 |
| 20 | Jammu & Kashmir  | Himalayan Circuit | Integrated Development of Tourist Facilities at Gulmarg-Baramulla- Kupwara-Leh Circuit under Himalayan Circuit Theme in J&K.                                                                                              | 96.93 |
| 21 | Uttar Pradesh    | Heritage Circuit  | Development of Heritage Circuit(Kalinjar Fort (Banda)- MarharDham (SantKabir Nagar)- ChauriChaura, Shaheed Sthal (Fatehpur)- Mavahar Sthal (Ghosi)- Shaheed Smarak (Meerut) in Uttar Pradesh under Swadesh Darshan Scheme | 34.82 |
| 22 | Assam            | Heritage Circuit  | Development of Tezpur - Majuli - Sibsagar as Heritage Circuit in Assam under Swadesh Darshan scheme                                                                                                                       | 98.35 |
| 23 | Himachal Pradesh | Himalayan Circuit | Integrated Development of Himalayan Circuit: Kiarighat, Shimla, Hatkoti, Manali, Kangra, Dharamshala, Bir, Palampur, Chamba                                                                                               | 86.85 |
| 24 | Mizoram          | Eco Circuit       | Development of Eco- Adventure Circuit Aizawl -Rawpuichhip - Khawhphawp - Lengpui - Durtlang - Chatlang-                                                                                                                   | 99.07 |

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|              |              |                  | Sakawrhmuituaitlang - Muthee - Beratlawng - Tuirial Airfield - Hmuifang under Eco circuit theme of Swadesh Darshan Scheme                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |              |
|--------------|--------------|------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|
| 25.          | Gujarat      | Heritage Circuit | Development of Heritage circuit: Vadnagar- Modhera and Patan in Gujarat under Swadesh Darshan Scheme                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | 98.61        |
| Year 2017-18 | Year 2017-18 | Year 2017-18     | Year 2017-18                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                | Year 2017-18 |
| 26.          | Puducherry   | Heritage Circuit | Development of Heritage Circuit in Puducherry under Swadesh Darshan                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | 66.35        |
| 27.          | Rajasthan    | Heritage Circuit | Scheme. Development of Heritage Circuit (Rajsamand (Kumbhalgarh Fort)- Jaipur (Nahargarh Fort)- Alwar (BalaQuila)- Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore Fort and Khandar Fort)- Jhalawar (Gagron Fort)- Chittorgarh (Chittorgarh Fort) Jaisalmer (JaisalmerFort) Hanumangarh (Kalibangan, Bhatner Fort and Gogamedi)- Jalore (Jalore Fort)- Udaipur (Pratap Gaurav Kendra)- Dholpur (Bagh- i-Nilofar and Purani Chawni)- Nagaur(Meera Bai Smarak) in Rajasthan under Swadesh Darshan | 99.60        |
| 28.          | Telangana    | Heritage         | Development of Heritage                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     | 99.42        |

|              |                | Circuit            | Circuit: Qutub Shahi Heritage Park- Paigah Tombs- Hayat Bakshi Mosque- Raymond's Tomb in Telangana under Swadesh Darshan Scheme                                                                |              |
|--------------|----------------|--------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|
| 29.          | Madhya Pradesh | Eco Circuit        | 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        |
| Year 2018-19 | Year 2018-19   | Year 2018-19       | Year 2018-19                                                                                                                                                                                   | Year 2018-19 |
| 30.          | Jharkhand      | Eco Circuit        | Development of Eco Circuit: Dalma- Chandil- Getalsud- Betla national park- Mirchaiya- Netarhat in Jharkhand                                                                                    | 52.72        |
| 31.          | Tripura        | North East circuit | Development of North East circuit: Surma Cherra- Unakoti- Jampui Hills- Gunabati- Bhunaneshwari- Matabari- Neermahal- Boxanagar- Chotta khola- Pilak-                                          | 65.00        |
| 32.          | Punjab         | Heritage Circuit   | Development of Heritage Circuit: Anandpur Sahib - Fatehgarh Sahib - Chamkaur Sahib - Ferozpur - Amritsar - Khatkar Kalan - Kalanour - Patiala in Punjab                                        | 99.95        |
| 33.          | Meghalaya      | North East         | Development of West                                                                                                                                                                            | 84.97        |

| Circuit   | 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)   |
|-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

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