Lok Sabha Question No. 222 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-14
Subject: Project for Identification and Renovation of Heritage Places
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Krupal Balaji Tumane, Omprakash Bhupalsinh alias Pawan Rajenimbalkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†222 ANSWERED ON 14.09.2020

## PROJECT FOR IDENTIFICATION AND RENOVATION OF HERITAGE PLACES

- †222. SHRI KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE: PAWAN

SHRI OMPRAKASH BHUPALSINH alias RAJENIMBALKAR:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to implement any project to identify  and  renovate  heritage  sites  and  tourist  places  to attract more tourists in the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  steps  taken  by  the Government to protect the historically important places;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  proposals  from various  State  Governments  to  include  tourist  places  in  the said project and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has reviewed the security policy for the domestic and foreign tourists in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  make  a  new  national ranking system for the tourist places in the country and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Ministry of Culture undertakes conservation, preservation and maintenance of all centrally protected monuments/Sites. In addition, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has launched the 'Adopt a Heritage: Apni  Dharohar,  Apni  Pehchaan'  project  which  is  a  collaborative effort by the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, ASI and State/

UT  Governments  for  developing  tourism  amenities  at  heritage/ natural/tourist  sites  spread  across  the  country  for  making  them tourist friendly, in a planned and phased manner. The project aims to encourage companies from public sector, private sector, trusts, NGOs,  individuals  and  other  stakeholders  to  become  'Monument Mitras'  and take up the responsibility of developing and upgrading the basic and advanced tourist amenities at these sites as per their interest  and  viability  in  terms  of  a  sustainable  investment  model under CSR. They would also look after the Operation & Maintenance of the same. The Ministry of Tourism is encouraging State Governments/UT Administrations to adopt similar models and States including  Madhya  Pradesh,  Delhi,  Goa,  Haryana,  Uttarakhand  have come forward for participation in the project.

- (d): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  recognizes  the  fact  that  safety  and security  are  important  factors  that  can  impact  tourism  to  the country  and  has  taken  various  steps  to  ensure  the  safety  and security  of  tourists,  both  domestic  and  foreign.  The  steps  taken include:
- i. The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  taken  up  the  matter  with  all State Governments/ Union Territory (UT) Administrations for setting up of dedicated Tourism Police. With the efforts of Ministry of Tourism, the State Governments /UT Administrations of Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim  and  Uttar  Pradesh  have  deployed  tourist  police  in one form or the other.
- ii. States/UTs  have  also  been  advised  regarding  setting  up of effective  systems  for  providing  facilities  for  security around tourist destinations.
- iii. The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  set  up  a  24x7  Multi-Lingual Tourist Info-Helpline on the toll free number 1800111363 or on a short code  1363  in 12 Languages  including 10 international  languages  (German,  French,  Spanish,  Italian, Portuguese,  Russian,  Chinese,  Japanese,  Korean,  Arabic), Hindi & English for domestic and foreign tourists to provide support service in terms of information relating to Travel in India and  to offer appropriate  guidance  to  tourists in distress while travelling in India.
- iv. The Ministry of Tourism along with all stakeholders, including  the  Tourism  Departments  of  all  States  and  UTs, have  adopted  the  'Code  of  Conduct  for  Safe  &Honourable Tourism' which is a set of guidelines to encourage tourism activities to be undertaken with respect for basic right like dignity, safety and freedom from exploitation of both tourists and local residents in particular,  women  and children.
- v. The Ministry of Tourism has issued Guidelines on Safety and Security of Tourists for State Governments/Union Territories to stress on the importance of safety and risk management, assist  in  identifying  best  practices  and  encourage  closer cooperation  for  ensuring  a  pleasant  experience  to  the tourists.

(e): NITI  Aayog  has  identified  29  Global  Indices  including  Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) to monitor India's performance and to drive reform and growth in different sectors in the  country.  For  the  Travel  &  Tourism  sector,  certain  indicators have  been  identified  from  TTCI  which  will  also  be  used  for  statewise bench marking of development and performance in the sector. In this regard, Ministry of Tourism is in consultation with concerned Line Ministries/ Departments.

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