Lok Sabha Question No. 4103 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Promotion of Eco-tourism in Assam
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Amarsing Tisso

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO . 4103

## ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025

## PROMOTION OF ECO -TOURISM IN ASSAM

## 4103. SHRI AMARSING TISSO:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  promoting  eco -tourism  as  a  sustainable livelihood model in ecologically sensitive and tribal areas;
- tourism circuits or parks developed or
- (b) the details of the number of eco -planned; and
- (c) whether the Government has any plan to promote nature -based tourism in the hill districts of Assam like Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao?

## ANSWER

(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(a) to (c): Development  and  promotion  of  tourist  destinations  and  tourism products is primarily undertaken by the respective State Government/Union Territory  (UT)  Administration.  However,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  through  its central  sector  schemes  of  'Swadesh  Darshan  (SD)',  'Swadesh  Darshan  2.0 (SD2.0), 'Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)' a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan, 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)' and 'Assistance to Central Agencies (ACA) for Tourism Infrastructure Development' schemes complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations/Central Agencies; subject to adherence  to  scheme  guidelines,  submission  of  Detailed  Project  Reports (DPRs), availability of funds, inter-se priority etc.

In addition, Government  of  India under its initiative for 'Special Assistance  to  States  for  Capital  Investment  (SASCI)'  has  also  provided financial assistance to the States for development of tourism projects.

The Ministry of Tourism under the above-mentioned schemes encourages adoption of principles of sustainable tourism, community participation, etc. A variety of works such as development of nature trails, loghuts, cafeteria, interpretation centers, shelters, parking, last mile connectivity  etc.  are  approved  under  sanctioned  projects  depending  on  its nature. Under the SD Scheme, launched in 2014 -15, 15 thematic circuits were identified for development . Among them, the eco-tourism Circuit was one of the key theme. The details of the circuit sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme including Eco-Circuit is annexed . Ministry of Tourism as part of its ongoing endeavour, promotes various tourism  destinations  and  products  of  India  in  a  holistic  manner,  through various initiatives including promotional events, assistance to State Governments for  organising  fairs  and  festivals,  participation  in  exhibitions, websites, social media, etc. Ministry of Tourism  revamped  the  Swadesh  Darshan  scheme  as Swadesh  Darshan  2.0 with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations in the country, adopting a destination- and tourist-centric  approach  in  place  of  the  earlier  circuit-based  framework. Sanctioning of projects is a continuous process. No proposal for development of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao presently enlisted for consideration by the Ministry of Tourism under aforesaid schemes.

*********

## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4103 ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025 REGARDING PROMOTION OF ECO -TOURISM IN ASSAM RAISED BY SHRI AMARSING TISSO

The list of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan scheme:-

|   S. No. | State/UT                  | Circuit / Sanction Year     | Name of the Project                                                                                                         |   Amount Sanctioned (in ₹ Crore) |
|----------|---------------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|
|        1 | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Coastal Circuit 2016-17     | Development of Long Island-Ross Smith Island- Neil Island- Havelock Island- Baratang Island-Port Blair                      |                            27.57 |
|        2 | Andhra Pradesh            | Coastal Circuit 2014-15     | Development of Kakinada - Hope Island - Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary - Passarlapudi - Aduru - S Yanam - Kotipally             |                            67.83 |
|        3 | Andhra Pradesh            | Coastal Circuit 2015-16     | Development of Nellore - Pulikat Lake - Ubblamadugu Water Falls - Nelapattu- Kothakoduru- Mypadu - Ramateertham - Iskapalli |                            49.55 |
|        4 | Andhra Pradesh            | Buddhist Circuit 2017-18    | Development of Buddhist Circuit: Shalihundam- Bavikonda- Bojjanakonda -Amravati- Anupu                                      |                            35.24 |
|        5 | Arunachal Pradesh         | North- East Circuit 2014-15 | Development of Bhalukpong- Bomdila and Tawang                                                                               |                            49.77 |
|        6 | Arunachal Pradesh         | North East Circuit 2015-16  | Development of Nafra- Seppa- Pappu, Pasa, Pakke Valleys- Sangdupota- New Sagalee- Ziro- Yomcha                              |                            96.72 |
|        7 | Assam                     | Wildlife Circuit 2015-16    | Development of Manas - Probitora - Nameri - Kaziranga - Dibru - Saikhowa                                                    |                            94.68 |

|   8. | Assam        | Heritage Circuit 2016-17   | Development of Tezpur - Majuli - Sibsagar                                                                                                                       |   90.98 |
|------|--------------|----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|
|    9 | Bihar        | Tirthankar Circuit 2016-17 | Development of Vaishali- Arrah- Masad- Patna- Rajgir- Pawapuri- Champapuri                                                                                      |   33.96 |
|   10 | Bihar        | Spiritual Circuit 2016-17  | Development of Kanwaria Route: Sultanganj - Dharmshala- Deoghar                                                                                                 |   44.76 |
|   11 | Bihar        | Buddhist Circuit 2016-17   | Development of Buddhist circuit- Construction of Convention Centre at Bodhgaya                                                                                  |   95.18 |
|   12 | Bihar        | Rural Circuit 2017-18      | Development of Bhitiharwa- Chandrahia- Turkaulia                                                                                                                |   44.27 |
|   13 | Bihar        | Spiritual Circuit 2017-18  | Development of Mandar Hill & Ang Pradesh                                                                                                                        |   44.55 |
|   14 | Chhattisgarh | Tribal Circuit 2015-16     | Development of Jashpur- Kunkuri- Mainpat- Kamleshpur - Maheshpur -Kurdar - Sarodhadadar- Gangrel- Kondagaon - Nathiyanawagaon- Jagdalpur- Chitrakoot- Tirthgarh |   96.1  |
|   15 | Goa          | Coastal Circuit 2016-17    | Development of Sinquerim-Baga, Anjuna-Vagator, Morjim-Keri, Aguada Fort and Aguada Jail                                                                         |   97.65 |
|   16 | Goa          | Coastal Circuit 2017-18    | Development of Coastal Circuit II: Rua De Orum Creek - Dona Paula - Colva - Benaulim                                                                            |   99.35 |
|   17 | Gujarat      | Heritage Circuit 2016-17   | Development of Ahmedabad- Rajkot- Porbandar - Bardoli- Dandi                                                                                                    |   59.17 |
|   18 | Gujarat      | Heritage Circuit 2016-17   | Development of Vadnagar- Modhera                                                                                                                                |   91.12 |

|   19. | Gujarat          | Buddhist Circuit 2017-18   | Development of Junagadh- Gir Somnath- Bharuch-Kutch- Bhavnagar- Rajkot- Mehsana                                                      |   26.68 |
|-------|------------------|----------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|
|    20 | Haryana          | Krishna Circuit 2016-17    | Development of Tourism Infrastructures at places related to Mahabharata in Kurukshetra                                               |   77.39 |
|    21 | Himachal Pradesh | Himalayan Circuit 2016-17  | Development of Himalayan Circuit: Kiarighat, Shimla, Hatkoti, Manali, Kangra, Dharamshala, Bir, Palampur, Chamba                     |   68.34 |
|    22 | Jammu & Kashmir  | Himalayan Circuit 2016-17  | Development of Jammu-Srinagar- Pahalgam-Bhagwati Nagar- Anantnag-Salamabad Uri-Kargil- Leh                                           |   77.33 |
|    23 | Jammu & Kashmir  | Himalayan Circuit 2016-17  | Development of Tourist Facilities at Jammu-Rajouri-Shopian- Pulwama.                                                                 |   81.6  |
|    24 | Jammu & Kashmir  | Himalayan Circuit 2016-17  | Development of Tourist Facilities - Construction of Assets in lieu of those Destroyed in Floods in 2014 under PM Development Package |   90.43 |
|    25 | Jammu & Kashmir  | Himalayan Circuit 2016-17  | Development of Tourist facilities at Mantalai and Sudhmahadev                                                                        |   91.99 |
|    26 | Jammu & Kashmir  | Himalayan Circuit 2016-17  | Development of Tourist facilities at Anantnag-Pulwama-Kishtwar- Pahalgam-Zanskar Padum - Daksum - Ranjit Sagar Dam                   |   86.39 |
|    27 | Jammu & Kashmir  | Himalayan Circuit 2016-17  | Development of Tourist Facilities at Gulmarg-Baramulla- Kupwara- Kargil - Leh                                                        |   91.84 |
|    28 | Jharkhand        | Eco Circuit 2018-19        | Development of Eco Tourism circuit: Dalma- Betla National park- Mirchaiya- Netarhat                                                  |   30.44 |
|    29 | Kerala           | Eco                        | Development of Pathanamthitta-                                                                                                       |   64.08 |

|    |                | Circuit 2015-16           | Gavi- Vagamon- Thekkady                                                                                                                      |       |
|----|----------------|---------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|
| 30 | Kerala         | Spiritual Circuit 2016-17 | Development of Sabarimala - Erumeli-Pampa-Sannidhanam                                                                                        | 46.54 |
| 31 | Kerala         | Spiritual Circuit 2016-17 | Development of Sree Padmanabha Arnamula                                                                                                      | 78.08 |
| 32 | Kerala         | Rural Circuit 2018-19     | Development of Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project                                                                                        | 57.35 |
| 33 | Kerala         | Spiritual Circuit 2018-19 | Development Sivagiri Sree Narayana Guru Ashram- Arruvipuram- Kunnumpara Sree Subrahmania- Chembazhanthi Sree Narayana Gurukulam              | 66.42 |
| 34 | Madhya Pradesh | Wildlife Circuit 2015-16  | Development of Wildlife Circuit at Panna- Mukundpur- Sanjay- Dubri- Bandhavgarh- Kanha- Mukki- Pench                                         | 92.1  |
| 35 | Madhya Pradesh | Buddhist Circuit 2016-17  | Development of Sanchi-Satna- Rewa-Mandsaur-Dhar                                                                                              | 74.02 |
| 36 | Madhya Pradesh | Heritage Circuit 2016-17  | Development of Gwalior - Orchha - Khajuraho - Chanderi - Bhimbetka - Mandu                                                                   | 89.82 |
| 37 | 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 |
| 38 | Maharashtra    | Coastal Circuit 2015-16   | Development of Sindhudurg Coastal Circuit - Sagareshwar, Tarkarli, Vijaydurg (Beach & Creek), Mitbhav                                        | 19.06 |

|   39. | Maharashtra   | Spiritual Circuit 2018-19   | Development of Waki- Adasa- Dhapewada- Paradsingha- Telankhandi- Girad                                                                                                                                                          |   45.47 |
|-------|---------------|-----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|
|    40 | Manipur       | North- East Circuit 2015-16 | Development of Tourist Circuit in Manipur: Imphal- Khongjom                                                                                                                                                                     |   72.23 |
|    41 | Manipur       | Spiritual Circuit 2016-17   | Development of Shri Govindajee Temple, Shri Bijoy Govindajee Temple - Shri Gopinath Temple - Shri Bungshibodon Temple - Shri Kaina Temple                                                                                       |   45.34 |
|    42 | Meghalaya     | North East Circuit 2016-17  | Development of Umium (Lake View), U Lum Sohpetbneng- Mawdiangdiang - Orchid Lake Resort                                                                                                                                         |   99.13 |
|    43 | Meghalaya     | North East Circuit 2018-19  | Development of West Khasi Hills (Nongkhlaw- KremTirot - Khudoi & Kohmang Falls - Khri River- Mawthadraishan, Shillong), Jaintia Hills (Krang Suri Falls- Shyrmang- Iooksi), Garo Hills (Nokrek Reserve, Katta Beel, Siju Caves) |   84.97 |
|    44 | Mizoram       | North East Circuit 2015-16  | Development of Thenzawl & South Zote, District Serchhip and Reiek.                                                                                                                                                              |   92.26 |
|    45 | Mizoram       | Eco Circuit 2016-17         | Development of Eco-Adventure Circuit Aizawl -Rawpuichhip - Khawhphawp - Lengpui - Chatlang- Sakawrhmuituaitlang - Muthee - Beratlawng -Tuirial Airfield - Hmuifang                                                              |   66.37 |
|    46 | Nagaland      | Tribal Circuit 2015-16      | Development of Tribal Circuit Peren- Kohima- Wokha                                                                                                                                                                              |   97.36 |

|   47. | Nagaland   | Tribal Circuit 2016-17    | Development of Mokokchung- Tuensang-Mon                                                                                                                                                                                                         |   98.14 |
|-------|------------|---------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|
|    48 | Odisha     | Coastal Circuit 2016-17   | Development of Gopalpur, Barkul, Satapada and Tampara                                                                                                                                                                                           |   70.82 |
|    49 | Puducherry | Coastal Circuit 2015-16   | Development of Dubrayapet - Arikamedu - Veerampattinam - Chunnambar - Nallavadu/Narambai - Manapet- Kalapet - Puducherry - Yanam                                                                                                                |   58.44 |
|    50 | Puducherry | Heritage Circuit 2017-18  | Development of Franco- Tamil Village, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam                                                                                                                                                                                  |   49.44 |
|    51 | Puducherry | Spiritual Circuit 2017-18 | Development of Spiritual Circuit in Puducherry                                                                                                                                                                                                  |   34.96 |
|    52 | Punjab     | Heritage Circuit 2018-19  | Development of Anandpur Sahib - Fatehgarh Sahib - Chamkaur Sahib - Ferozpur - Khatkar Kalan - Kalanour - Patiala                                                                                                                                |   85.32 |
|    53 | Rajasthan  | Desert Circuit 2015-16    | Development of Sambhar Lake Town and Other Destinations                                                                                                                                                                                         |   50.01 |
|    54 | Rajasthan  | Krishna Circuit 2016-17   | Development of Govind Dev ji temple (Jaipur), Khatu Shyam Ji (Sikar) and Nathdwara (Rajsamand)                                                                                                                                                  |   75.8  |
|    55 | Rajasthan  | Spiritual Circuit 2016-17 | Development of Spiritual Circuit - 'Development of Churu (Salasar Balaji)-Jaipur (Shri Samodke Balaji, Ghatke Balaji, Bandheke Balaji)- Viratnagar (Bijak, Jainnasiya, Ambika Temple)- Bharatpur (Kaman Region)- Dholpur (Muchkund) - Mehndipur |   87.05 |

|    |            |                            | Balaji- Chittorgarh (Sanwaliyaji)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |       |
|----|------------|----------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|
| 56 | Rajasthan  | Heritage Circuit 2017-18   | Development of Heritage Circuit Development of Rajsamand (Kumbhalgarh Fort) - Jaipur (Facade Illumination in Jaipur and Nahargarh Fort) -Jhalawar (Gagron Fort) - Chittorgarh (Chittorgarh Fort) - Jaisalmer (Jaisalmer Fort) - Hanumangarh (Gogamedi) - Udaipur (Pratap Gaurav Kendra) - Dholpur (Bagh-I-Nilofor and Purani Chawani) - Nagaur (Meera Bai Smarak, Merta) - Tonk (Sunehri Kothi) | 70.61 |
| 57 | Sikkim     | North East Circuit 2015-16 | Development of Tourist Circuit linking Rangpo (entry) - Rorathang- Aritar- Phadamchen- Nathang-Sherathang- Tsongmo- Gangtok-Phodong- Mangan- Lachung-Yumthang- Lachen- Thangu-Gurudongmer- Mangan- Gangtok-TuminLingee- Singtam (exit)                                                                                                                                                          | 98.05 |
| 58 | Sikkim     | North East Circuit 2016-17 | Development of Tourist Circuit Linking Singtam - Maka- Temi- BermoikTokel- Phongia- Namchi - Jorthang- Okharey- Sombaria- Daramdin- Jorethang- Melli (Exit)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     | 95.32 |
| 59 | Tamil Nadu | Coastal Circuit 2016-17    | Development of (Chennai- Mamamallapuram - Rameshwaram - Manpadu - Kanyakumari)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | 73.13 |
| 60 | Telangana  | Eco Circuit 2015-16        | Development of Eco Tourism Circuit in Mahaboobnagar district                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | 91.62 |
| 61 | Telangana  | Tribal Circuit 2016-17     | Development of Mulugu- Laknavaram- Medavaram- Tadvai- Damaravi- Mallur- Bogatha                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | 79.87 |

|    |               |                            | Waterfalls                                                                                                                                                                               |       |
|----|---------------|----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|
| 62 | Telangana     | Heritage Circuit 2017-18   | Development of Qutub Shahi Heritage Park- Paigah Tombs- Hayat Bakshi Mosque- Raymond's Tomb                                                                                              | 96.9  |
| 63 | Tripura       | North East Circuit 2015-16 | Development of Agartala - Sipahijala - Melaghar - Udaipur - Amarpur- Tirthamukh- Mandirghat - Dumboor- NarikelKunja- Gandachara - Ambassa                                                | 82.85 |
| 64 | Tripura       | North East Circuit 2018-19 | Development of Surma Cherra- Unakoti- Jampui Hills- Gunabati - Bhunaneshwari- Neermahal- Boxanagar- Chottakhola- Pilak- Avangchaarra                                                     | 44.83 |
| 65 | Uttar Pradesh | Buddhist Circuit 2016-17   | Development of Srawasti, Kushinagar, & Kapilwastu                                                                                                                                        | 87.89 |
| 66 | Uttar Pradesh | Ramayana Circuit 2016-17   | Development of Chitrakoot and Shringverpur                                                                                                                                               | 69.45 |
| 67 | Uttar Pradesh | Spiritual Circuit 2016-17  | Development of Ahar-Aligarh- Kasganj-Sarosi (Unnao)- Pratapgarh- Kausambi-Mirzapur- Gorakhpur-Domariyaganj-Basti- Barabanki-Azamgarh-Kairana- Baghpat- Shahjahanpur                      | 71.91 |
| 68 | Uttar Pradesh | Spiritual Circuit 2016-17  | Development of Bijnor- Meerut- Kanpur- Kanpur Dehat- Banda- Ghazipur- Salempur- Ghosi- Balia- Ambedkar Nagar- Aligarh- Fatehpur- Deoria- Mahoba- Sonbhadra- Chandauli- Mishrikh- Bhadohi | 67.51 |
| 69 | Uttar Pradesh | Heritage Circuit           | Development of Kalinjar Fort (Banda)- Maghar Dham (Sant Kabir                                                                                                                            | 36.65 |

|              |               | 2016-17                   | Nagar)- Chauri Chaura, Shaheed Sthal (Fatehpur)- Mahuar shaheed Sthal (Ghosi)- Shaheed Smarak (Meerut)                                                                                 |         |
|--------------|---------------|---------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|
| 70.          | Uttar Pradesh | Ramayana Circuit 2017-18  | Development of Ayodhya                                                                                                                                                                 |  127.21 |
| 71.          | Uttar Pradesh | Spiritual Circuit 2018-19 | Development of Jewar-Dadri- Sikandrabad-Noida-Khurja-Banda                                                                                                                             |   12.03 |
| 72.          | Uttar Pradesh | Spiritual Circuit 2018-19 | Development of Gorakhnath Temple (Gorakhpur), Devipattan Temple (Balrampur) and Vatvashni Temple (Domariyagunj)                                                                        |   18.3  |
| 73.          | 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 |
| 74.          | Uttarakhand   | Heritage Circuit 2016-17  | Integrated Development of Heritage Circuit in Kumaon Region - Katarmal -Jogeshwar-Baijnath- Devidhura                                                                                  |   76.32 |
| 75.          | West Bengal   | Coastal Circuit 2015-16   | Development of Beach Circuit: Udaipur- Digha- Shankarpur- Tajpur- Mandarmani- Fraserganj- Bakkhlai- Henry Island                                                                       |   67.99 |
| 76.          | -             | Wayside Amenities 2018-19 | Development of Wayside Amenities in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar at Varanasi-Gaya; Kushinagar-Gaya- Kushinagar in collaboration with MoRTH                                                  |   17.5  |
| Total Amount | Total Amount  | Total Amount              | Total Amount                                                                                                                                                                           | 5290.33 |