Lok Sabha Question No. 1278 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-11
Subject: Promotion of Tourism at Wildlife Sanctuaries
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Nishikant  Dubey, Rajeshbhai Naranbhai Chudasama

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1278

## ANSWERED ON 11.12.2023

## PROMOTION OF TOURISM AT WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES

## 1278.DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY:

SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any action plan to boost tourism in the country to attract more foreigner tourists and also upgrade existing tourist places with latest facilities;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  promote  tourism  at  various wildlife sanctuaries in different parts of the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (d): The Ministry of Tourism undertakes an integrated marketing and promotional strategy, and a synergized campaign in association with the Travel  Trade,  State  Governments  and  Indian  Missions  in  the  Overseas Markets.  The  Ministry  of  Tourism  continuously  engages  with  industry experts  and  other  relevant  stakeholders  and  take  their  suggestions  and feedback  for  promotion  of  varied  tourism  products  of  India.    In  order  to boost visitor arrival, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has declared 'Incredible India! Visit India Year 2023'.

Ministry of Tourism promotes India as a holistic destination in the tourism generating  markets  to  promote  various  Indian  tourism  products  and tourism destinations of the country to increase India's share of the global tourism market.

In order to increase the footfall of international tourists in India, Ministry of  Tourism,      participated  in  various  International  travel  fairs  during  the

Year 2023 such as FITUR 2023, Madrid, Spain (18-22 January 2023); ITB Berlin (7-9 March 2023); Arabian Travel Market 2023, Dubai (1-4 May 2023); IMEX Frankfurt (17-19 Oct 2023); OTDYKH Leisure, Moscow, Russia (12-14, September  2023);  TOP  Resa,  Paris,  France  (3  -  5  October  2023);  PATA Travel Mart 2023 (4-6 October 2023) in New Delhi; ITB, Asia, Singapore (25 - 27 Oct 2023); JATA, Osaka, Japan (26-29 October 2023); WTM London (68  Nov  2023)  to  showcase  varied  tourism  products  of  India  including wildlife. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has also issued guidelines to promote wildlife and forest tourism. The Wild Life (Protection)  Act,  1972,  empowers  the  States/UTs,  for  declaration  of  an area  as  Sanctuary  and  National  Park,  if  it  considers  such  area  is  of adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geo-morphological, natural or zoological significance. The management  of  such designated areas (National  Parks,  Sanctuaries,  Tiger  Reserve)  is  within  the  ambit  of  the respective States/UTs. Such management interventions may also include Eco-Tourism activities in these areas. The Ministry has issued guidelines for preparation of management plans for these areas in accordance with the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 on 30.11.2023. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has also issued 'Guidelines  for  Sustainable  Ecotourism  in  Forest  and  Wildlife  Areas-2021 on  29.10.2021.  It  promotes  engagement  of  local  communities  in  nature tourism in a  manner  that  enriches  local  economy  and  encourages sustainable  use  of  indigenous  materials  through  financially  viable  value chains  thereby  helping  such  local  communities  become  "Atma  Nirbhar". Further ministry has also circulated guidelines for preparation of management  plans  for  protected  areas  which  also  includes  tourism activities. The National Tiger Conservation Authority has also notified the 'Normative Standards for tourism activities and Project Tiger guidelines, 2012. Further,  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  sanctioned  projects  under  Swadesh Darshan  scheme  for  development  of  wildlife  circuit  in  the  country.  The

details of the same are given at Annexure.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1278 ANSWERED ON 11.12.2023 REGARDING PROMOTION OF TOURISM AT WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES BY DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY AND SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA

The details of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan scheme for developing wildlife tourism in the country are given below:

(Rs. in Crore)

| State/ UT      | Circuit / Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                                                                             |   Amount Sanctioned |   Amount Released |   Amount Utilised* |
|----------------|---------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|-------------------|--------------------|
| Assam          | Wildlife Circuit 2015-16  | Development of Manas- Probitora- Nameri- Kaziranga- Dibru- Saikhowa                                             |               94.68 |             89.94 |              89.53 |
| Madhya Pradesh | Wildlife Circuit 2015-16  | Development of Wildlife Circuit at Panna- Mukundpur- Sanjay- Dubri- Bandhavgarh- Kanha- Mukki- Pench            |               92.1  |             86.31 |              86.31 |
| Andhra Pradesh | Coastal Circuit 2014-15   | Development of Kakinada - Hope Island - Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary - Passarlapudi - Aduru - S Yanam - Kotipally |               67.83 |             67.83 |              67.83 |

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