Lok Sabha Question No. 2146 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-08
Subject: Promotion of Eco-Tourism in Assam
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Gaurav Gogoi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2146 ANSWERED ON 08.03.2021

## PROMOTION OF ECO-TOURISM IN ASSAM

## 2146. SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to enhance ecotourism in the country, especially in the State of Assam;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of training programs conducted in the field of ecotourism during the last three years;
- (d) the details of the targets with respect to eco-tourism and the expected revenue generation in the next 10 years; and
- (e) the  details  of  financial  assistance  extended  to  the  State  of Assam for eco-tourism during the last five years?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): Development and Promotion  of  Tourism  is  primarily  the responsibility of the State Government/Union Territory Administration. However, the Ministry of Tourism has identified Eco Tourism  as  one  of  the  Niche  Tourism  Products  for  promotion  and development in the country including Assam, 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.

In addition, the Ministry of Tourism, under its  Swadesh Darshan  scheme  is  developing  thematic  circuits  in  the  country  in planned and prioritized manner in order to develop tourism infrastructure  at  multiple  destinations.  Eco-tourism  is  one  of  the identified  theme  under  which  a  total  of  6  projects  have  been sanctioned for a total amount of Rs.483.74 Crore. The details of the projects sanctioned under Eco-Tourism theme in Swadesh Darshan scheme is annexed.

No  projects  have    been    sanctioned    in  the  State  of  Assam under Swadesh  Darshan  scheme  covering Eco-Tourism  theme however  the  Ministry  of    Tourism  has    sanctioned    the  following projects in the state of  Assam:-

- (i) Development of Tezpur - Majauli - Sibsagar sanctioned in the  year  2016-17  for  Rs.  90.98  Crore  under  Heritage theme.
- (ii) Development of  Manas - Pobitora - Nameri - Khaziranga -  Dibru  -  Saikhowa  in  the    year  2015-16    for    Rs.  94.68 Crore under Wildlife theme.

Tourism Awareness/Sensitization programmes for existing service  providers  are  conducted  under  this  Ministry's  Scheme  of "Capacity Building for Service Providers". The primary objective of the programme is to eventually achieve an improved tourist specific service ambience and to further the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Each course  is  of  two  to  six  day  duration  and  includes  training  of Naturalists and eco-guides. This programme is available to all areas across the country including far flung, hilly and backward areas.

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ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2146 ANSWERED ON 08.03.2021 REGARDING PROMOTION OF ECO-TOURISM IN ASSAM

Details  of  the  projects  sanctioned  under  Eco-Tourism  theme  in Swadesh Darshan scheme

|   S. No. | Name of State   | Name of Circuit & Year   | Project Name                                                                                                                                                                      |   Amt. Sanctioned (Rupees in crore) |
|----------|-----------------|--------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|
|        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 |                               99.07 |

| 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 |
| Total | Total            | Total                   | Total                                                                                                                                         |  483.74 |

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