Lok Sabha Question No. 186 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-19
Subject: Promotion of Eco-Tourism Under India 2.0 Campaign
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Hasmukhbhai Somabhai Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.186 ANSWERED ON 19.07.2021

## PROMOTION OF ECO-TOURISM UNDER INDIA 2.0 CAMPAIGN

## 186. SHRI PATEL HASMUKHBHAI SOMABHAI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  plans  to  promoting  ecotourism  as part of Incredible India 2.0 Campaign in domestic and overseas markets;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  State  Government  of  Gujarat  has  requested  for additional  sanction  of  Central  funds  to  carry  out  various tourism projects in the State; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the measures taken by the Union Government in this regard the measures taken by the Government to promote Eco-tourism in the country, particularly  in  Gujarat  and  revenue  generated  during the  last three years?

## ANSWER

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

## MINISTER OF TOURISM

- (a) & (b): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  launched  the  'Incredible India 2.0' Campaign which marks a shift from generic promotions in India  and  overseas  to  market  specific  promotional  plans  and content  creation.  The  Campaign  also  covers  the  important  source markets  for  Indian  tourism  and  also  takes  into  account  emerging markets with significant potential. The focus of the campaign is on increased  Digital  presence  through  mass  reach  portals,  specific genres  and  social  media  and  Television  as  a  medium  due  to  the large reach offered. Thematic television commercials and creative have been produced as part of the campaign. The campaign focuses on  digital  and  social  media  and  the  promotion  of  Niche  tourism

products,  including  eco-tourism,  yoga,  wellness,  luxury,  cuisine, wildlife etc.

The Ministry of Tourism has identified Eco Tourism as one of the Niche Tourism Products for promotion and development in the country  with  an  objective  to  promote  India  as  a  year  round destination and to attract tourists with specific interest for ensuring repeat visit for the unique products in which India has a comparative advantage vis-à-vis competing destinations. Ministry of Tourism  has  been  laying  stress  on  maintenance  of  environmental integrity,  considering  the  importance  of  developing  tourism  in  an ecologically  sustainable  manner.    The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has evolved  Sustainable  Tourism  Criteria  for  India  (STCI)  for  major segments  of  the  tourism  industry,  namely  accommodation,  tour operators, beaches,  backwaters,  lakes  and  river  sectors, etc. applicable  for  the  entire  country.  The  Criteria  has  been  evolved after  consultations  with  the  various  stakeholders.    Ministry  of Tourism  has  made  it  mandatory  for  the  approved  tourism  service providers  such  as  tour  operators,  adventure  tour  operators,  travel agents etc. to follow the Code of Conduct for safe and sustainable Tourism.

Ministry of Tourism have provided financial assistance to the States  /  Union  Territory  (UT)  Administrations  for  development  of Eco-Circuits  under  its  Swadesh  Darshan  Scheme.  The  information on  the  eco-circuit  projects  sanctioned  under  Swadesh  Darshan Scheme of the Ministry of Tourism are given in Annexure-I.

(c) & (d): Ministry of Tourism provides financial assistance to the States  /  Union  Territory  (UT)  Administrations  for  development  of Tourism  Infrastructure  projects  in  consultation  with  State  /  UT Administration under different schemes. The information is given in Annexure-II. Data on revenue generated from tourism not maintained by the Ministry of Tourism.

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STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  &  (b)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.186 ANSWERED ON 19.07.2021 REGARDING PROMOTION OF ECO-TOURISM UNDER INDIA 2.0 CAMPAIGN

## ECO-TOURISM CIRCUIT

(Amt. in crore)

|   S. No. | Name of State   | Name of Circuit & Year   | Project Name                                                                                                                                                                      |   Amt. Sanctioned |
|----------|-----------------|--------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|
|        1 | Uttarakhand     | Eco Circuit (2015-16)    | Development of Circuit at Tehri-Chamba- Sarain around Tehri Lake.                                                                                                                 |             69.17 |
|        2 | Telangana       | Eco Circuit (2015-16)    | Development of Circuit in Mahaboobnagar districts (Somasila, Singotam, Kadalaivanam, Akkamahadevi, Egalanpanta, Farahabad, Uma Maheshwaram, Mallelatheertham)                     |             91.62 |
|        3 | Kerala          | Eco Circuit (2015-16)    | Development of Pathanamthitta- Gavi- Vagamon- Thekkady.                                                                                                                           |             76.55 |
|        4 | Mizoram         | Eco Circuit (2016-17)    | Development of Eco- Adventure Circuit at Aizawl -Rawpuichhip - Khawhphawp - Lengpui - Durtlang -Chatlang- Sakawrhmuituaitlang - Muthee - Beratlawng - Tuirial Airfield - Hmuifang |             66.37 |
|        5 | Madhya Pradesh  | Eco Circuit (2017-18)    | Development of Gandhisagar Dam- Mandleshwar Dam- Omkareshwar Dam- Indira Sagar Dam- Tawa Dam- Bargi Dam- BhedaGhat- Bansagar Dam- Ken River                                       |             94.61 |
|        6 | Jharkhand       | Eco Circuit (2018-19)    | Development of Dalma- Chandil- Getalsud- BetlaNational park- Mirchaiya- Netarhat                                                                                                  |             52.72 |

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ANNEXURE-II

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (c) & (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.186 ANSWERED ON 19.07.2021 REGARDING PROMOTION OF ECO-TOURISM UNDER INDIA 2.0 CAMPAIGN

PROJECTS SANCTIONED UNDER SWADESH DARSHAN, NATIONAL MISSION ON PILGRIMAGE REJUVENATION AND SPIRITUAL AUGMENTATION DRIVE (PRASHAD)

Swadesh Darshan Scheme (SD)

(Amount in crore)

| BUDDHIST CIRCUIT   | BUDDHIST CIRCUIT   | BUDDHIST CIRCUIT           | BUDDHIST CIRCUIT                                                                | BUDDHIST CIRCUIT      |
|--------------------|--------------------|----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------|
| Name of State      | S. No.             | Name of Circuit & Year     | Project Name                                                                    | Amt. Sanctioned (Rs.) |
| Gujarat            | 1                  | Buddhist circuit (2017-18) | Development of Junagadh- Gir Somnath- Bharuch-Kutch- Bhavnagar- Rajkot- Mehsana | 28.67                 |
| HERITAGE CIRCUIT   | HERITAGE CIRCUIT   | HERITAGE CIRCUIT           | HERITAGE CIRCUIT                                                                | HERITAGE CIRCUIT      |
| Gujarat            | 1.                 | Heritage Circuit (2016-17) | Development of Ahmedabad- Rajkot- Porbandar -Bardoli- Dandi.                    | 59.17                 |
| Gujarat            | 2                  | Heritage Circuit (2016-17) | Development of Vadnagar- Modhera                                                | 91.84                 |

National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)

(Amount in crore)

| State/UTs   |   Project Nos | Name of the Project                                      | Year of Sanction   |   Approved cost (Rs.) |
|-------------|---------------|----------------------------------------------------------|--------------------|-----------------------|
| GUJARAT     |             1 | Development of Dwarka                                    | 2016-17            |                 13.08 |
| GUJARAT     |             2 | Pilgrimage Amenities at Somnath                          | 2016-17            |                 45.36 |
|             |             3 | Development of Promenade at Somnath under PRASHAD Scheme | 2018-19            |                 47.12 |

## Projects under consideration for approval in PRASHAD scheme:

1. Development of Ambaji Temple, Banaskantha, Gujarat: Concept Document  with request for convening  Concept presentation  meeting  has  been  received  from  the  State Government.    In  the  Concept  Presentation  meeting  held  on 7th  April  2021,  in-principle  agreement  to  the  concept  has been granted.  MoMs issued.
2. Development  of  Public  Plaza,  Somnath,  Gujarat:  Concept Document  with  request  for  convening  Concept  presentation meeting  has  been  received  from  the  State  Government.    In the Concept Presentation meeting held on 7 th  April 2021, inprinciple agreement to the concept has been granted.  MoMs have been issued.

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