Lok Sabha Question No. 1297 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-19
Subject: Eco-Tourism Projects
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Uttam Kumar Nalamada Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1297 ANSWERED ON 19.09.2020

## ECO-TOURISM PROJECTS

## 1297. SHRI UTTAM KUMAR REDDY NALAMADA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  eco-tourism  projects  being  carried  out  in  and around the Amrabad Tiger Reserve;
- (b) the funds allocated by the Government for the development of these projects;
- (c)
- the number of jobs that will be created by these projects;
- (d) whether  there  is  any  reservation  in  these  jobs  for  the  local tribal population and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether any steps have been taken to prevent any harm to the environment  due  to  these  projects  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a):  Development  and promotion of tourist destinations and products  is  primarily  the  responsibility  of  the  respective  State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations. The Ministry of Tourism  provides  Central  Financial  Assistance  (CFA)  to  various State Governments/Union Territory Administrations including Telangana for various tourism projects prioritized in consultation with  them  every  year  subject  to  availability  of  funds,  inter-se priority and adherence to the scheme guidelines.

Further,  Forest  Department,  Government  of  Telangana,  has informed that the following community based Eco-Tourism Projects are established in and around Amrabad Tiger Reserve by the Telangana Forest Department:

1. Wildlife Safari from Farhabad Gate to Farhabad View point; a distance of 16 km to and fro from the main road.
2. Octopus  View  point  at  Domalpenta;  a  distance  of  200  mtrs from main road.
3. Environmental Education Centre with dioramas, models, posters,  small  auditorium  with  Audio  visual  equipment  at Mannanur.
4. All Eco-tourism activities  are  Community  Based  services (CBET), such as:-
- a. Operating twin bedded cottages- 10Nos at Mannanur.
- b. Operating  dormitory  with  40  beds  at  Mannanur  for  the benefit  of  travellers  who  are  stranded  at  the  Mannanur check posts due to night hours restrictions.
- c. Development of approach path to Mallelatheertham Water falls, 8 km from the main road.
5.   Check posts at Mannanur and Domalpenta on either ends of the  Tiger  Reserve  on  the  highway  to  check  and  regulate vehicular  traffic.  Vehicle  movement  is  restricted  between 9.00 PM and 6.00 AM every day.
6. Operating Souvenir Shop at Mannanur.
7.   Operating Vanamayuri Guest House at Domalapenta

(b): The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has sanctioned an  amount  of  Rs.9162.10  Lakhs  during  2015-16  for  the  project Integrated  Development  of  Eco-Tourism  Circuit  in  Mahaboobnagar District  in  Telangana  State  under  Swadesh  Darshan  Scheme.  The destinations  covered  under  the  sanction  are  Somasila  Reservoir, Singotam Reservoir, Akka Mahadevi Caves, Kadali Vanam, Srisailam, Farhabad, Mallelatheertham and Uma Maheshwari Temple.

Forest  Department,  Govt  of  Telangana,  has  informed  that  the funds allocated by the Govt, for Ecotourism projects are as under:

|     |                                                                                 | (Rs. in lakh)         |     |
|-----|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------|-----|
| i . | Modernization of Environmental Education Centre with displays and AV equipment. | CAMPA - BDC component | 3.2 |

| ii.   | Facilities for Safari drive at Farhabad purchase of 2 vehicles.                                                           |   Biodiversity Conservation 12.55 |
|-------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| iii.  | Improvement of network of existing roads for safari drive. CAMPA BDC component                                            |                              15   |
| iv.   | Development of Octopus view point with entry gate and safety barrier. CAMPA BDC component                                 |                               6.5 |
| v.    | Development of approach path and steps to Mallelatheertham water falls including security gate etc. CAMPA - BDC component |                              15   |

-  Operation  and  maintenance  of  Eco-Tourism  projects  are self-financed  out  of  the  gate  money,  guide  and  safari services,  occupation  of  cottages,  dormitory,  guest  house etc.
-  The  income  from  Eco-tourism  activities  under  CBET  are deposited in the account of Tiger Conservation Foundation which is registered as a Society.

(c): Government of Telangana has informed that 130 Nos. of jobs, as per details given below, have been created either through direct or indirect employment under these projects:

| (i)   | Somasila Reservoir      | 30   |
|-------|-------------------------|------|
| (ii)  | Singotam Reservoir 22   |      |
| (iii) | Akka Mahadevi Caves     | 4    |
| (iv)  | Srisailam (Eegalapenta) | 30   |
| (v)   | Farhabad                | 24   |
| (vi)  | Mallelatheertham        | 5    |
| (vii) | Uma Maheshwari Temple   | 15   |
|       | Total                   | 130  |

(d): Forest  Department,  Government  of  Telangana,  informed  that 80% of the Eco-Tourism based jobs are reserved for local Chenchu (A  primitive  Tribal  group)  community  only.  Presently  28  out  of  34 families of the local Chenchus are working in community based Ecotourism project (CBET).

(e): Forest Department, Government of Telangana, have taken the following  steps  to  prevent  any  disturbance  and  damage  to  the environment:-

-  Plastic  is  totally  prohibited  in  the  entire  Amrabad  Tiger Reserve. Checking is done at the check posts.  Entry to the tiger reserve along the Hyderabad-Srisailam highway is closed for vehicle movements  between 2100hrs-0600 hrs (Next day).  Tourists are not allowed to enter in the core area of Tiger Reserve other than tourism zone. Steps  are  taken  to  keep  the  Tiger  Reserve  clean  by engaging garbage pickers and providing Eco-friendly dust bins  along  the  National  Highway  from  Mannanur  to
- ********
-  Domalapenta.