Lok Sabha Question No. 2345 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Promotion of Tourism in Khajuraho
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Datt Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2345 ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN KHAJURAHO

## 2345. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is implementing Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual,  Heritage  Augmentation  Drive  (PRASHAD)  and  promotional initiatives  such  as  Dekho  Apna  Desh  to  develop  pilgrimage  and heritage circuits and boost domestic tourism;
- (b) whether any PRASHAD projects, promotional activities, Fam Tours or Dekho Apna Desh initiatives  have  been  approved  or  undertaken  for sites in the town of Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Khajuraho Lok Sabha Constituency, if so, thedetails thereof along with the funds, works and implementing agencies;
- (c) the details of the measures taken to integrate poor households, trained tourist guides, women-led homestays, local craft markets, transport providers and small vendors in order to directly increase the income from tourism;
- (d) whether  promotional  or  developmental  support  in  this  region  is inadequate, if so, the reasons therefor along with the details of the steps planned to prioritise these districts; and
- (e) the details of the monitoring indicators used for tourist footfall, local employment, SHG (Self-Help Group) earnings and artisan participation along with the timelines for assessing impact on local welfare?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM             (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (d): Development  of  tourist  destinations  and  products  is  primarily undertaken  by  the  respective State  Government/Union  Territory  (UT) Administration.  The  Ministry  complements  the  efforts  of  States/UTs  by developing tourism infrastructure through various schemes and initiatives in consultation with the State Governments/ UT Administrations.

Since the launch of the PRASHAD Scheme in January 2015, the Ministry has sanctioned 54 projects in 28 States/UTs at a total cost of Rs.1726.74 Crore for infrastructure development at pilgrimage and heritage sites.

No  project  has  been  sanctioned  at  Khajuraho  under  the  PRASHAD Scheme.  However,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  under  the  Swadesh  Darshan Scheme  has  sanctioned  a  project ' Development  of  Gwalior -Orchha -Khajuraho -Chanderi -Bhimbetka -Mandu ' under the Heritage Circuit at a total cost of Rs.89.82 Crore and a total of Rs.89.49 Crore has been released till date.

Also, the Ministry of Tourism as part of its ongoing endeavour promotes various tourism destinations and products of the country including Khajuraho through promotional activities such as events, website, social media promotions, fairs and festivals, etc.

In addition, the Ministry of Tourism had launched the Dekho Apna Desh initiative in January 2020 for promotion of domestic tourism in the country. Under  this  initiative,  the  Ministry  promotes  tourism  destinations  and products of India through various activities such as Webinars, Quiz, Pledge, Seminars, Tourism Promotional Events, Fam tours, Website, social media etc.

Further,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  under the  Scheme  of  'Capacity Building  for  Service  Providers'  (CBSP)  provide s  education,  training  and certification  to  the  tourism  service  providers  including  tourist  guides, transport  providers,  local  artisans  and  homestay  providers,  to  up-grade manpower at every strata of tourism industry in order to capitalize the vast tourism  potential  of  the  country  to  the  fullest  and  provide  professional expertise to the local populace as well as create fresh opportunities in the tourism sector.

(e): The Ministry of Tourism carries out impact evaluation of the Central Sector Schemes to assess the outcomes and effectiveness of the projects from time to time. The evaluation includes key performance indicators such as tourist footfall, local employment generation, income enhancement for

Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and the participation of local artisans in tourismlinked activities. In addition, the study examines the broader impact of the schemes  on  local  socio-economic  welfare.  These  indicators  collectively enable  a  comprehensive  assessment  of  the  schemes'  contribution  to sustainable and inclusive tourism development.

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