Lok Sabha Question No. 359 (STARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Development of Eco-Tourism and Temple Tourism in Telangana
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Balram Naik Porika

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*359 ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025

## DEVELOPMENT OF ECO-TOURISM AND TEMPLE TOURISM IN TELANGANA

*359. SHRI BALRAM NAIK PORIKA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the initiatives taken by the Government to promote ecotourism and temple tourism in Telangana along with specific programmes, fund allocations and infrastructure development projects;
- (b) whether  any  tourism  circuits  in  Telangana  have  been  identified  or developed  under  the  Swadesh  Darshan/Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) schemes to promote eco-tourism and temple tourism;
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  their  locations,  key  attractions and current status of development; and
- (d) the  details  of  additional  measures  planned  to  enhance  eco-tourism and temple tourism in Telangana?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM              (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO.*359 ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF ECO-TOURISM AND TEMPLE TOURISM IN TELANGANA RAISED BY SHRI BALRAM NAIK PORIKA

(a) to (d): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and products,  including  eco-tourism  and  temple  tourism  is  undertaken  by  the respective  State  Government/Union  Territory  (UT)  Administration.  The Ministry complements the efforts of States/UTs by developing and promoting various tourism products of the country through various schemes and initiatives, including the State of Telangana.

The  Ministry  of  Tourism  through  its  ongoing  schemes  of  'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)' ,  and Swadesh  Darshan  (SD),  revamped  scheme  of  Swadesh  Darshan  2.0  and Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) have sanctioned various infrastructure  development  projects  in  Telangana  for  enhancing  ecotourism and temple tourism, the details of which are given in the Annexure.

In  addition,  Government  of  India  has  sanctioned  2  projects  to  promote spiritual  tourism namely  ' Ramappa Region Sustainable  Tourism  Circuit  in Ramappa ' for Rs. 73.74 Crore and ' Somasilla Wellness & Spiritual Retreat in Nallamala ' for Rs.68.10 Crore in State of Telangana under the 'Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2024-25' (SASCI).

Receiving  proposals  from  the  State  Governments/UT  Administrations  for financial  assistance  for  tourism  projects  is  a  continuous  process.  The proposals received are examined with reference to the prescribed guidelines and financial assistance is extended for such projects subject to fulfilment of the stipulated conditions and availability of funds.

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

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO.*359 ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF ECO-TOURISM AND TEMPLE TOURISM IN TELANGANA RAISED BY SHRI BALRAM NAIK PORIKA

## List of Religious Projects under various schemes in Telangana

| S. No.   | Scheme   | Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                                                                   |   Sanctioned amount (Rs. in Crore) |   Released amount (Rs. in Crore) | Status               |
|----------|----------|-----------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------|
| 1        | PRASHAD  | 2020-21         | Development of Jogulamba Devi Temple, Alampur                                                         |                              38.9  |                            33.07 | Physically Completed |
| 2        | PRASHAD  | 2022-23         | Development of Pilgrimage and Heritage Tourism Infrastructure at Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Mulugu |                              62    |                            32.73 | Ongoing              |
| 3        | PRASHAD  | 2022-23         | Development of Pilgrimage Infrastructure at Bhadrachalam, Bhadradri, Kothagudem District              |                              41.38 |                             8.43 | Ongoing              |
| 4        | PRASHAD  | 2024-25         | Development at Goddess Renuka Yellamma Devasthanam, Balkampet, Hyderabad                              |                               4.22 |                             0    | Ongoing              |
| 5        | CBDD     | 2024-25         | Digital Experience Centre at Bhuddhavanam in Nalgonda                                                 |                              24.84 |                             2.48 | Ongoing              |
| Total    | Total    | Total           | Total                                                                                                 |                             171.34 |                            76.71 |                      |

List of Eco-Tourism projects under various Schemes in Telangana: (Rs. in Crore)

| Sr. No.   | Scheme               | Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                                                  |   Amount Sanctioned |   Amount Released | Status               |
|-----------|----------------------|-----------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|-------------------|----------------------|
| 1         | Swadesh Darshan (SD) | 2015-16         | Development of Eco Tourism Circuit in Mahaboobnagar district                         |               91.62 |             91.25 | Physically Completed |
| 2.        | SD 2.0               | 2024-25         | Destination- Ananathagiri Name of Experience: Eco tourism zone at Ananathgiri forest |               38    |              3.8  | Ongoing              |
| 3.        | CBDD                 | 2024-25         | Development of Eco-Tourism Proiect at Nizam Sagar, Kamareddy                         |                9.97 |              0.99 | Ongoing              |
| Total     | Total                | Total           | Total                                                                                |              139.59 |             96.04 |                      |

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