Lok Sabha Question No. 2123 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-05
Subject: Village Tourism in Khajuraho-Panna
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Datt Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2123 ANSWERED ON 05.08.2024

## VILLAGE TOURISM IN KHAJURAHO-PANNA

## 2123 SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  cognisant  of  the  immense  potential  of village  tourism  in  Khajuraho-Panna  area,  of  Khajuraho  Lok  Sabha region,  due  to  complementaries  of  Khajuraho  group  of  temples  and Panna Tiger Reserve;
- (b) if so, whether the Government has any plans to promote village tourism in the area by developing model tourism villages or otherwise;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM               (SHRI GAJENDRA  SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (d):   The  Ministry  of  Tourism  through  its  central  sector  scheme  of 'Swadesh Darshan (SD)' complements the  efforts  of  tourism infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations in  consultation with them. The Ministry of Tourism under this scheme has sanctioned 4 projects under different themes in Madhya Pradesh including Khajuraho and Panna, the details of which is as under:-

(Amount in₹ crore)

|   Sl. No. | Theme / Year of Sanction   | Name of the project                                                                                  |   Amount Sanctioned |
|-----------|----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
|         1 | Wildlife Circuit 2015-16   | Development of Wildlife Circuit at Panna- Mukundpur- Sanjay- Dubri- Bandhavgarh- Kanha- Mukki- Pench |               92.1  |
|         2 | Buddhist Circuit 2016-17   | Development of Sanchi-Satna-Rewa- Mandsaur-Dhar                                                      |               74.02 |
|         3 | Heritage Circuit 2016-17   | Development of Gwalior - Orchha - Khajuraho - Chanderi - Bhimbetka -                                 |               89.82 |

|    |                     | Mandu                                                                                                                                        |       |
|----|---------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|
|  4 | Eco Circuit 2017-18 | Development of Gandhisagar Dam- Mandleshwar Dam- Omkareshwar Dam- Indira Sagar Dam- Tawa Dam- Bargi Dam- Bheda Ghat- Bansagar Dam- Ken River | 93.76 |

The  Ministry of Tourism  promotes  Rural Tourism  through its various initiatives including the following:

- i. The  Ministry  of  Tourism  under  this  scheme  has  sanctioned  2  projects under the Rural Circuit theme as per the details given below:

(Amount in ₹ crore)

| State/Year of Sanction   | Project Name                                          |   Amount sanctioned |
|--------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
| Bihar/ 2017-18           | Development of Bhitiharwa- Chandrahia- Turkaulia      |               44.27 |
| Kerala/ 2018-19          | Development of Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project |               57.35 |

- ii The  Ministry  has  now  revamped  its  Swadesh  Darshan  scheme  as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations and has sanctioned 29 projects in the  country  including  'Rural  Tourism  Cluster  Experience  at  Gunji'  in Uttarakhand for Rs.32.20 crore.
- iii The Ministry of Tourism under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan scheme has identified  42  destinations  in  the  country  including  the  following  5 destinations under Vibrant Village category:
- iv. A National Strategy and Roadmap for the development of Rural Tourism in India and National Strategy for Promotion of Rural Homestays have been released.
- v. The  rural  tourism  village  portal  (www.rural.tourism.gov.in)  has  been developed to showcase the potential of Rural Tourism in India.
- vi. The Ministry of Tourism launched the Best Tourism Villages Competition  to  honour  a  village  that  best  exemplifies  a  tourism destination with renowned cultural and natural assets, preserves and promotes  community-based  values,  goods,  and  lifestyles,  and  has  a clear commitment to sustainability.
- vii. The  Ministry  of  Tourism  participates  in  the  United  Nations  World Tourism Organization's (UNWTO) Best Tourism Villages Competition.
- viii. A  Task  Force  for  Development  of  Rural  Tourism  has  also    been constituted  under  the  Chairpersonship  of  Secretary  (Tourism)  and comprising  of  representatives  from  identified  Central  Ministries/State Governments/UT Administrations and Industry Stakeholders.

| State/ UT         | Destination        |
|-------------------|--------------------|
| Arunachal Pradesh | Kibitho            |
| Himachal Pradesh  | Rakchham, Chhitkul |
| Sikkim            | Gnathang Village   |
| Uttarakhand       | Mana Village       |
| Uttarakhand       | Jadung             |

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