Lok Sabha Question No. 3903 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-24
Subject: Promotion of Sustainable Tourism in Ecologically Sensitive Areas
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Benny Behanan, Smt. Jyotsna Charandas Mahant

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3903

## ANSWERED ON 24.03.2025

## PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN ECOLOGICALLY SENSITIVE AREAS

## 3903. SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:

SMT . JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state

:

- (a) the details of the measures taken by the Government to promote sustainable tourism in ecologically sensitive areas and national parks;
- (b) the number of eco -tourism projects sanctioned and operationalised in the year 2024 -25; and
- (c) the details of the steps taken / being taken by the Government to ensure  that  increased  tourism  does  not  lead  to  environmental degradation in protected areas?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM     (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

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

The Ministry of Tourism through its central sector schemes of 'Swadesh Darshan' , ' Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD )' and ' Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development ' extends financial assistance to the State Governments / UT Administrations for tourism infrastructure development in the country. The details of projects sanctioned under the Eco Circuit of Swadesh Darshan Scheme are given at Annexure.

Environmental Sustainability is a key pillar in the National Strategy for Sustainable  Tourism  formulated  by  the  Ministry.  In  line  with  the strategy,  Travel  for  LiFE  programme  has  been  inititated  to  promote sustainable  tourism  in  the  country  and  to  encourage  tourists  and tourism businesses to adopt sustainable tourism practices. The Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Ministry has been revamped as Swadesh  Darshan  2 . 0  with  the  objective  to  develop  sustainable  and responsible  tourism  destinations  following  a  tourist  &  destination centric  approach.  The  Scheme  encourages  adoption  of  principles  of sustainable tourism including environmental sustainability, socio -cultural sustainability and economic sustainability.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a) TO  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3903 ANSWERED ON 24 . 03 . 2025 REGARDING PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN ECOLOGICALLY SENSITIVE AREAS RAISED BY SHRI BENNY BEHANAN AND SMT . JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT

## Details  of  Projects  sanctioned  under  Eco  Circuit  of  the  Swadesh  Darshan Scheme

|   S . No . | State / UT     | Circuit / Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                                                                                                                                     | Amount Sanctioned ( ₹ Crore )   | Amount Released / Authorised * ( ₹ Crore )   |
|------------|----------------|---------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|
|          1 | Jharkhand      | Eco Circuit 2018 - 19     | Development of Eco Tourism circuit : Dalma - Betla National park - Mirchaiya - Netarhat                                                                                 | 30 . 44                         | 28 . 04                                      |
|          2 | Kerala         | Eco Circuit 2015 - 16     | Development of Pathanamthitta - Gavi - Vagamon - Thekkady                                                                                                               | 64 . 08                         | 64 . 08                                      |
|          3 | Madhya Pradesh | 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                         | 93 . 59                                      |
|          4 | Mizoram        | Eco Circuit 2016 - 17     | Development of Eco - Adventure Circuit Aizawl - Rawpuichhip - Khawhphawp - Lengpui - Chatlang - Sakawrhmuituaitlang - Muthee - Beratlawng - Tuirial Airfield - Hmuifang | 66 . 37                         | 53 . 09                                      |
|          5 | Telangana      | Eco Circuit 2015 - 16     | Development of Eco Tourism Circuit in                                                                                                                                   | 91 . 62                         | 91 . 25                                      |

|    |             |                       | Mahaboobnagar district                                                                                                                                                                    |         |         |
|----|-------------|-----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|---------|
|  6 | Uttarakhand | Eco Circuit 2015 - 16 | Integrated Development of Eco - Tourism, Adventure Sports, and Associated Tourism Related Infrastructure for Development of Tehri Lake & Surroundings as New Destination - District Tehri | 69 . 17 | 69 . 17 |

* Includes amount of authorization to CNA through TSA Model I for Central Sector Scheme.

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