Lok Sabha Question No. 2360 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-01
Subject: Promotion of Eco-Tourism in Bihar
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Dulal Chandra Goswami

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2360 ANSWERED ON 01.08.2022

## PROMOTION OF ECO-TOURISM IN BIHAR

## †2360. SHRI DULAL CHAND GOSWAMI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to promote eco-tourism in Bihar State including Katihar Parliamentary Constituency;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  providing  any  incentives  to  private sector  to  promote  eco-tourism  in  Bihar  State  including  Katihar Parliamentary Constituency; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) & (b): Ministry  of  Tourism,  promotes  India  in  a  holistic  manner.   As part of its on-going activities, it releases global print, electronic and online media campaigns in important and potential markets overseas, under the 'Incredible  India'  brand-line,  to  promote  various  tourism  destinations  and products, including eco-tourism, of the country including Bihar.

To position India as a preferred destination for ecotourism globally, Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy for Eco-Tourism.

A National Board for Sustainable Tourism has been constituted under the  Chairpersonship of Secretary (T), comprising of representatives from identified Central Ministries/ organizations, State Governments/ UT Administrations and Industry Stakeholders, with the objective of operationalisation  and  implementation  of  various  strategic  initiatives  for development of sustainable tourism and eco tourism in the Country:

- (i) Detailed action plans and formulation of dedicated schemes
- (ii)
- Certification Schemes

## ANSWER

- (iii) Capacity  building,  replication of national  and  global  best practices
- (iv)
- (v)
- Marketing and promotion
- Private Sector Participation
- (vi) Destination and Product Development
- (vii)
- Specific strategies for sustainable and ecotourism
- (viii) Any other measures for growth of sustainable and ecotourism in the country.

In  addition  to  the  above,  Ministry  of  Tourism  launched  Swadesh Darshan  Scheme  in  2014-15  to  provide  financial  assistance  to  State Governments/UT  Administrations  for  infrastructure  development.    'EcoCircuit'' was identified as one of the thematic circuits under the Scheme. Details of the projects sanctioned under Eco-Circuit of the Scheme in the country are given at Annexure.

Ministry of Tourism has now revamped the Swadesh Darshan Scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with the objective to develop sustainable and  responsible  destinations  following  a  tourist  and  destination  centric approach.  The  guidelines  for  Swadesh  Darshan  2.0  scheme  have  been issued to the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations.

- (c)  &  (d):  Ministry  of  Tourism  under  its  Market  Development  Assistance Scheme provides financial support to the eligible travel and tour operators for promotion of Domestic Tourism including eco-tourism.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY OF PARTS (a) AND (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2360 ANSWERED ON 01.08.2022 REGARDING PROMOTION OF ECO-TOURISM IN BIHAR

Details  of  project  sanctioned  under  the  Eco-Circuit  of  Swadesh  Darshan Scheme in the country

(Amt. in Rs. Crore)

| S. No.   | Name of State   | Year of sanction   | Project Name                                                                                                                                                         |   Amt. Sanctioned |   Amt. Released |
|----------|-----------------|--------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|-----------------|
| 1.       | Uttarakhand     | (2015-16)          | Development of Tehri- Chamba- Sarain around Tehri Lake.                                                                                                              |             69.17 |           65.71 |
| 2.       | Telangana       | (2015-16)          | Development of Eco Tourism Circuit in Mahaboobnagar district                                                                                                         |             91.62 |           87.04 |
| 3.       | Kerala          | (2015-16)          | Development of Pathanamthitta- Gavi- Vagamon- Thekkady                                                                                                               |             76.55 |           61.24 |
| 4.       | Mizoram         | (2016-17)          | Development of Eco- Adventure Circuit Aizawl -Rawpuichhip - Khawhphawp - Lengpui - Chatlang- Sakawrhmuituaitlang - Muthee - Beratlawng - Tuirial Airfield - Hmuifang |             66.37 |           49.53 |
| 5.       | Madhya Pradesh  | (2017-18)          | Development of Gandhisagar Dam- Mandleshwar Dam- Omkareshwar Dam- Indira Sagar Dam- Tawa Dam- Bargi Dam- BhedaGhat- Bansagar Dam- Ken River                          |             94.61 |           88.58 |
| 6.       | Jharkhand       | (2018-19)          | Development of Dalma- Betla National park- Mirchaiya- Netarhat                                                                                                       |             34.12 |           26.37 |
| Total    | Total           | Total              | Total                                                                                                                                                                |            432.44 |          378.47 |

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