Lok Sabha Question No. 5084 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-04
Subject: Development of Heritage Places in Karnataka
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: B. Y. Raghavendra, Sanganna Amarappa Karadi, S. Muniswamy, Gowdar Mallikarjunappa Siddeshwara, Annasaheb Shankar Jolle, Prathap Simha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5084 ANSWERED ON 04.04.2022

## DEVELOPMENT OF HERITAGE PLACES IN KARNATAKA

5084.SHRI B.Y. RAGHAVENDRA:

SHRI SANGANNAAMARAPPA:

SHRI S. MUNISWAMY:

SHRI G.M. SIDDESHWAR:

SHRI ANNASAHEB SHANKAR JOLLE:

SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA:

Will   the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry finds Karnataka to be the tourist hotspot with places ranging from Jogfalls, Coorg, Mysore, Gol Gumbaz, wildlife sanctuaries,  sea  shores,  Hampi,  Aanegundi  to  a  host  of  other heritage places and scenic beauties;
- (b) if so, the measures that the Union Government intends to take up with the State Government in this matter;
- (c) whether there is a joint venture between the State and the Centre to  further  develop  Heritage  places,  places  of  ancient  importance and some un-explored sites in the State of Karnataka;
- (d) whether the Ministry is considering a private player and Government  module  to  further  boost  tourism  across  the  country and particularly in Karnataka in the upcoming financial year; and
- (e) the  details  of  various  methods  through  which  the  Government expects a boost in tourism?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF TOURISM                                   (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a)& (b): The Ministry of Tourism has launched various infrastructure development  schemes  like  Swadesh  Darshan  (SD)  and  Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme to develop  and  promote  tourism  destinations/circuits  across  India  in collaboration with the State Governments/UT Administrations.

As per the nomination received from the State Government  of Karnataka,  Chamundeshwari  Devi,  Mysore  has  already  been  included under the scheme for development of Pilgrimage Tourism Infrastructure under PRASHAD Scheme.

Swadesh Darshan (SD) scheme aims to promote, develop and harness the  potential  of  tourism  in  India.  Under  the  scheme,  the  Ministry  of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance -CFA to State Governments,  Union  Territory  Administrations  for  the  infrastructure development of circuits.

(c) to (d): The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has launched the 'Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan' project which is a  collaborative  effort  by  the  Ministry  of  Tourism,  Ministry  of  Culture, Archaeological Survey of India and State/ UTs Government for developing tourism amenities at heritage/ natural/ tourist sites spread across India for making them tourist friendly, in a planned and phased manner.

The project aims to encourage companies from public sector, private sector,  trusts,  NGOs,  individuals  and  other  stakeholders  to  become 'Monument Mitras'  and  take  up  the  responsibility  of  developing  and upgrading the basic and advanced tourist amenities at these sites as per  their  interest  and  viability  in  terms  of  a  sustainable  investment model  under  CSR.  They  would  also  look  after the  Operation  & Maintenance of the same.

Under  the  project,  29  Memorandum  of  Understandings  (MoUs)  have been  awarded  to  15  Monument Mitras for  twenty-seven (27)  sites  and two (2) Technological interventions across India.

Under Adopt a Heritage project, MoUs have been signed to develop, upgrade, and maintain amenities at 7 sites in Hampi- Hampi &  Hazara  Rama  Temple,  Krishna  Temple,  Ugra  Narsimha  Temple, Badavilinga Temple, Elephant Stables, Pattabhirama Temple  and Zenana Enslosure (Lotus  Mahal)and    Memorandum  of  Understandings (MoU) is under process to develop, upgrade, and maintain amenities at Gol Gumbaz in Karnataka.

- (e): Ministry of Tourism  promotes  India  as a holistic destination including Karnataka.  As part of its on-going activities, it releases global print, electronic and online media campaigns in important and potential markets overseas, participates in travel fairs/ exhibitions, tourism related  conferences/  seminars/  conventions,  Road  Shows  and  other promotional  activities  for  the  promotion  of  various  tourist  destinations and  products  of  the  country  under  the  'Incredible  India'  brand-line, through  its  Scheme  of  'Domestic  Promotion  and  Publicity  including Hospitality'  (DPPH)  and  'Overseas  Promotion  and  Publicity  including

Market Development assistance' (OPMD).   Promotions are also regularly undertaken through the website (www.incredibleindia.org) and the Social Media accounts of the Ministry. The Ministry of Tourism has launched the Dekho Apna Desh initiative in January,  2020 with  the  objective  of  creating  awareness  among  the citizens about the rich heritage, culture, lesser-known destinations, local destination  of  the  country  to  promote  domestic  tourism.   Under  this initiative  Ministry  is  carrying  out  promotional  activities  like  webinars, online  pledge  and  Quiz  programmes to generate awareness among the public about the country and its tourism destinations / products. Dekho Apna  Desh  initiative  is  being  promoted  extensively  on social  media platforms  and  website  of  the  Ministry  and  also  by  the  Domestic  India Tourism offices. The  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs,  Government  of  India,  has  relaxed  the restriction  for  all  foreign  nationals  intended  to  visit  India  for  Tourism purposes subject to the Covid related guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW). The e-Tourist Visa / Tourist Visa is fully restored  for  all  individual  foreign  nationals  intended  to  visit  India  for tourism purposes w.e.f. 15 th  November, 2021. Long term tourist visa/ etourist visa has also been restored. Further, the Government of India has announced first 500,000 free visa fee to the international tourists. The Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) programme of the Overseas Promotion and Publicity Scheme  provides for extending financial  assistance  to  approved  Tourism  Service  Providers  and  States Government/ Union Territory Administrations for undertaking promotion of tourism to India in the overseas markets. The long term tourist visa/ etourist visa has also been restored. The Ministry of Tourism has revised the Guidelines for Scheme of Market Development  Assistance  (MDA)  for  promotion  of  Domestic  Tourism  in November, 2020 to enhance the scope and reach of the scheme. As per the guidelines, the stakeholders are provided with financial support for the  promotion  of  Domestic  Tourism.  Additional  promotional  activities have  been  incorporated  including  online  promotions  and  the  extent  of financial assistance permissible has been enhanced. Tourism Departments  of  State  Governments  /  UT  Administrations  are  also  now eligible for obtaining financial support under the scheme.

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