Lok Sabha Question No. 1260 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-25
Subject: Eco-Tourism Projects
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: S. Gnanathiraviam, Rajashree Mallick

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1260 ANSWERED ON 25.07.2022

## ECO-TOURISM PROJECTS

1260. SHRI GNANATHIRAVIAM S.: SHRIMATI RAJASHREE MALLICK:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of measures taken/being taken to promote eco- tourism in the country particularly in Odisha and Tamil Nadu;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  received  proposals  from  the  State Government  of  Odisha  and  Tamil  Nadu  for  providing  additional central funds for implementing various tourism projects;
- (c) if  so,  the  details  with  regard  to  proposals  received  from  various States regarding eco-tourism projects;
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  action  taken  by  the Government thereon; and
- (e) the details of the measures taken to promote tourism and revenue generated therefrom during the last five years, year-wise?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a): 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 of the country.

To position India as a preferred destination for ecotourism globally, Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy for Eco-Tourism. Following  strategic  pillars  have  been  identified  for  development  of ecotourism in the strategy document:

- (i). State Assessment and Ranking
- (ii).   State Strategy for Eco Tourism
- (iii).   IEC, Capacity Building and Certification
- (iv).   Marketing and Promotion
- (v).
- Destination and Product Development
- (vi).   Public Private and Community Partnerships
- (vii).  Governance and Institutional Framework

A  National  Board  for  Sustainable  Tourism  has  been  constituted under the Chairpersonship of Secretary (Tourism), 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
- (iii) Capacity  building,  replication  of  national  and  global  best practices
- (iv) Marketing and promotion
- (v)
- Private Sector Participation
- (vi)
- (vii)
- Destination and Product Development
- 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.  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.

- (b) to (d): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  already  sanctioned  projects under its Swadesh Darshan Scheme and PRASHAD Scheme in the States of Odisha and Tamil Nadu, as per the details given below:-

## Swadesh Darshan:

| State/UT   | Circuit         | Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                                            |   Amount Sanctioned (Rs. In Cr.) |
|------------|-----------------|-----------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| Odisha     | Coastal circuit | 2016-17         | Development of Gopalpur, Barkul, Satapada and Tampara                          |                            70.82 |
| Tamil Nadu | Coastal Circuit | 2016-17         | Development of (Chennai- Mamamallapuram - Rameshwaram - Manpadu - Kanyakumari) |                            73.13 |

## PRASHAD:

| State/UT   | Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                                                                                    |   Approved Cost (Rs. In Cr.) |
|------------|-----------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------|
| Odisha     | 2014-15         | Infrastructure Development at Puri, Shree Jagannath Dham - Ramachandi - Prachi River front at Deuli under Mega Circuit |                        50    |
| Tamil      | 2016-17         | Development of Kanchipuram                                                                                             |                        13.99 |
| Nadu       | 2016-17         | Development of Vellankani                                                                                              |                         4.86 |

Furthermore,  Eco-Tourism  is  one  of  the  identified  them  under Swadesh Darshan scheme and details of the projects sanctioned under this theme are given at Annexure.

After the year 2018-19, no new  project was  considered  for sanctioning under Swadesh Darshan Scheme as the scheme was under review and all the proposals submitted by the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations were deemed returned.   In so far as Swadesh Darshan  2.0  Scheme  is  concerned,  no  new  project  proposal  has  been formulated for sanctioning as of now.

(e): The Ministry of Tourism, through its India Tourism Offices Overseas along with Indian Missions abroad endeavours to position India as a preferred tourism destination in the tourism generating markets to promote various tourism products and destinations in the country and to increase India's share in the global tourism market. The objectives are met  through  an  integrated  marketing  and  promotional  strategy,  global media campaign and a synergized promotional measures in association with the Travel Trade, State Governments and Indian Missions overseas.

On the request of Ministry of  Tourism,  Minister  of  External  affairs  has designated  Tourism  Officers  in  the  Indian  Missions  of  top  20  source markets in October, 2021.

Ministry of Tourism has conducted virtual Road shows- Incredible India Reconnect 2022 to project India as a preferred tourism destination in the tourism generating markets.  Ministry of Tourism has conducted successfully various virtual road-shows in Oman, USA, Germany,  Australia,  Singapore,  Thailand,  Spain  and  UK  in  April  - May 2022.

Ministry of Tourism also promotes tourism in the country through its  Schemes  of  'Domestic  Promotion  &  Publicity  including  Hospitality (DPPH)' and 'Overseas Promotion & Publicity Including Market Development  Assistance'  (OPMD).    Under  these  schemes,  Ministry  of Tourism releases domestic and international print, electronic and online media  campaigns  under  the  'Incredible  India'  brand-line,  to  promote various tourism destinations and products of the country.

The  Ministry  of  Tourism  also  undertakes  various  activities  for promotion  &  publicity  of  domestic  tourism  within  the  country.  These activities  are  primarily  aimed  at  increasing  awareness  about  tourism destinations  and  products,  promoting  tourism  within  the  country  with focus on Niche Tourism products, spreading social awareness messages and promoting events which have tourism potential.

The Ministry of Tourism has also 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  including  lesser  known  destinations,  Heritage, culture,  wellness,  local  tourism  destinations  etc.  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.

Data on revenue generated through tourism is not  maintained by the Ministry of Tourism.

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STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (b) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.1260 ANSWERED  ON  25.07.2022  REGARDING  ECOTOURISM PROJECTS.

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

(Amt. in 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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