Lok Sabha Question No. 2423 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Promotion of Green and Eco-Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2423

## ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## PROMOTION OF GREEN AND ECO-TOURISM

## 2423. SMT. POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- whether  the  Government  has  taken  steps  to  promote  green
- (a) tourism and eco-tourism across the country;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has introduced or proposes to introduce  a national certification framework for eco-friendly hotels, tour operators and tourism enterprises;
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government  has  taken initiatives to strengthen tourist safety in the country, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM            (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a)  to  (b):  The  Ministry of Tourism promotes India in a holistic manner, through  various  initiatives.  As  part  of  on-going  activities,  promotion  of eco-tourism is also taken up. The Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy for Development of Ecotourism which was circulated to the State Governments / Union Territory Administrations.
- (c) to (d): The Guidelines for Star Classification of Hotels mandates Ecofriendly Practices  viz.  (a)  Sewage  Treatment  Plant  (b)  rain  water harvesting  (c)  waste  management  (d)  pollution  control  method  for  air, water and light (e) Introduction of non CFC equipment for refrigeration and air conditioning and other Eco-friendly measures and initiatives in order to qualify for classification. National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism was also formulated by the Ministry and circulated to the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. In line with the strategy, Travel for Life  (TFL)  programme  was  initiated  to  encourage  tourists  and  tourism businesses to adopt sustainable tourism practices.
- (e): Ministry  of  Tourism  has  taken  various  initiatives  to  strengthen tourist safety in the country. The details of the same are mentioned as under: -
- (i) Safety  and  Security  of  tourists  is  essentially  a State  subject. However, the Ministry of Tourism has been continuously taking up the matter  with  all  the  State  Governments  and  Union  Territory  (UT) Administrations for setting up of dedicated Tourist Police to strengthen on-ground safety mechanism for tourists. With the efforts of  Ministry  of  Tourism,  States/UT's  viz  Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi,  Goa,  Karnataka,  Kerala,  Maharashtra,  Himachal  Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir,  Madhya  Pradesh,  Odisha,  Punjab,  Rajasthan, Sikkim and Uttar Pradesh have deployed tourist police.
- (ii) As a part of the Ministry's continuous endeavors to make travel for tourists safe and secure, the Ministry of Tourism has set up a 24x7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Helpline on the toll free number 1800111363 or on  a  short  code  1363  in  12  Languages  including  10  international languages  (German,  French,  Spanish,  Italian,  Portuguese,  Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic), Hindi and English for domestic and foreign tourists to provide support service in terms of information relating to travel in India and to offer appropriate guidance to tourists in distress, while travelling within India.
- (iii)  Government  has  set  up  a  dedicated  non-lapsable  corpus  fund  Nirbhaya  Fund,  being  administered  by  Department  of  Economic Affairs,  Ministry  of  Finance,  which  can  be  utilized  for  projects specifically designed to improve the safety and security of women. Ministry  of  Tourism  has  been  periodically  requesting  all  State Governments and Union Territories for availing the  benefits of  the 'Safe Tourism Destinations for Women' under Nirbhaya fund which can be utilized for projects specifically designed to improve the safety and security of women tourists.
- (iv)  The  Ministry  of  Tourism  along  with  all  stakeholders,  including  the Tourism Departments of all States and UTs, have adopted the 'Code of Conduct for Safe & Honourable Tourism' which is a set of guidelines to  encourage  tourism  activities  to  be  undertaken  with  respect  to basic right like dignity, safety and freedom from exploitation of both tourists and local residents in particular, women and children.

***********