Lok Sabha Question No. 3242 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-09
Subject: Promotion of Eco-Tourism in National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Vijay Kumar, Rajiv Pratap Rudy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3242 ANSWERED ON 09.08.2021

## PROMOTION OF ECO-TOURISM IN NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE

## SANCTUARIES

3242. SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR (ALIAS) VIJAY VASANTH:

SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has recently approved new guidelines for eco-tourism in forest and wildlife areas;
- (b)
- if so, the details along with its features thereof; and
- (c) whether  any  steps  are  being  taken  to  ease  norms  for  ecotourism to facilitate opportunities in notified forest and wildlife reserves and if so, the details thereof; and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

MINISTER OF TOURISM

(a) to (c): Eco  tourism  has  been  identified  as  one  of  the  Niche Tourism  areas  for  development  in  the  country  by  the  Ministry  of Tourism.

Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  have informed that they have not issued any guidelines for eco-tourism in forest and wildlife areas recently.

Ministry  of  Tourism  has  recognized  the  immense  potential  of sustainable tourism in becoming a source of sustainable livelihoods and  achieving  the  Sustainable  Development  Goals.    Ministry  of Tourism has accordingly  formulated  a  Draft  National  Strategy  and Roadmap  for  Sustainable  Tourism  with  focus  on  eco-tourism.    In order  to  make  the  document  more  comprehensive,  Ministry  of

Tourism has invited  feedback/ comments/ suggestions on the draft National Strategy and Roadmap from concerned Central Ministries, all the State Governments/ UT Administrations and industry stakeholders. Ministry  of  Tourism,  under  its  Swadesh  Darshan  scheme,  is developing theme based tourism circuits in the country.  Eco Circuit and Wildlife Circuit are among the fifteen thematic circuits identified for development under the scheme. The objective of the Swadesh  Darshan  scheme  include  creating  employment  through active involvement of local communities and promoting communitybased development and pro-poor tourism approach.  Submission of project  proposals  by  the  State  Governments/Union  Territory  (UT) Administrations under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme is a continuous process. The projects for development under the scheme are identified in consultation with the State Governments/UT  Administrations  and  are  sanctioned  subject  to availability of funds, submission of suitable detailed project reports, adherence  to  scheme  guidelines  and  utilization  of  funds  released earlier. The details of the projects sanctioned by Ministry of Tourism under  the  Eco  Circuit  and  Wildlife  Circuit  themes  of  Swadesh Darshan Scheme are given at Annexure.

*******

## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a) TO (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3242 ANSWERED ON 09.08.2021 REGARDING PROMOTION OF ECO-TOURISM IN NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES

List  of  Projects  sanctioned  for  development  under  Eco  Circuit  and Wildlife  Circuit  themes  of  Swadesh  Darshan  Scheme  of  Ministry  of Tourism

(in Rs. Crores)

| State/Year of Sanction   | Details                                                                                                                                                                | Amount Sanctioned   |
|--------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
| Eco Circuits             | Eco Circuits                                                                                                                                                           |                     |
| Uttarakhand (2015-16)    | Development of Circuit at Tehri- Chamba- Sarain around Tehri Lake.                                                                                                     | 69.17               |
| Telangana (2015-16)      | Development of Circuit in Mahaboobnagar district (Somasila, Singotam, Kadalaivanam, Akkamahadevi, Egalanpanta, Farahabad, Uma Maheshwaram, Mallelatheertham)           | 91.62               |
| Kerala (2015-16)         | Development of Pathanamthitta- Gavi- Vagamon-Thekkady                                                                                                                  | 76.55               |
| Mizoram (2016-17)        | Development of Eco-Adventure Circuit at Aizawl-Rawpuichhip- Khawhphawp- Lengpui- Durtlang Chatlang- Sakawrhmuituaitlang- Muthee- Beratlawng-Tuirial Airfield- Hmuifang | 66.37               |
| Madhya Pradesh (2017-18) | Development of Gandhisagar Dam- Mandleshwar Dam- Omkareshwar Dam- Indira Sagar Dam- Tawa Dam-Bargi Dam- Bheda Ghat- Bansagar Dam- Ken River.                           | 94.61               |
| Jharkhand (2018-19)      | Development of Dalma- Chandil- Getalsud- Betla National park- Mirchaiya- Netarhat                                                                                      | 52.72               |
| Wildlife Circuits        | Wildlife Circuits                                                                                                                                                      |                     |
| Madhya Pradesh (2015-16) | Development of Circuit at Panna- Mukundpur- Sanjay- Dubri- Bandhavgarh- Kanha- Mukki- Pench.                                                                           | 92.22               |
| Assam (2015-16)          | Development of Manas- Pobitora- Nameri- Kaziranga- Dibru- Saikhowa.                                                                                                    | 94.68               |

*****