Lok Sabha Question No. 4121 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Expansion of Tourism Infrastructure
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Benny Behanan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4121 ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025

## EXPANSION OF TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE

## 4121. SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has considered for expanding tourism infrastructure in hilly or forested tribal areas using green mobility tools to ensure low-impact, accessible travel;
- (b) whether the Ministry of Tourism has collaborated with the Ministry of Tribal  Affairs  to  ensure  tourism  infrastructure  in  Scheduled  Areas  in compliance  with  The  Provisions  of  the  Panchayats  Extension  to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act;
- (c)
- if so, whether it does not violate forest and customary land rights; and
- whether  the  Government  is  likely  to  develop  tourist  materials  and signage  in  local  tribal  languages  along  with  Hindi  and  English  in  the

## ANSWER

(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (d) underrepresented areas?

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(a) to (d): Development  of  tourism  infrastructure  in  the  country  including tribal  and  hilly  areas  is  primarily  the  responsibility  of  concerned  State Governments/UT Administrations. Further, the tourist material and signage in local  and  vernacular  languages  is  also  developed  by  the  concerned  State Governments/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 and 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)'  schemes  complements  the  efforts  of  tourism  infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations/Central Agencies; subject to availability of funds, adherence to scheme guidelines, submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) by the State Government 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 schemes  cover  multiple components  including  those  related  to  green  mobility,  signage  etc.  to provide enhanced tourism amenities and augmented tourism experiences for

projects. The projects sanctioned under the the visitors and tourists.

Further, the Ministry of Tourism in consultation with Ministry of Tribal Affairs  has  taken  up  an  initiative  for  'Development  of  Tribal  Home  Stays' under Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Ministry of Tourism with an idea to tap  the  tourist  potential  of  tribal  areas  and  to  provide  an  alternative livelihood to the tribal community. The initiative includes funding support to the tribal household and villages for:

- (a) Up to Rs.5 Lakh for village community requirement
- (b) Up  to  Rs.5  Lakh  for  construction  of  two  new  rooms  for  each
- household
- (c) Up  to  Rs.3  lakh  for  renovation  of  existing  rooms  for  each household

Ministry  of  Tourism  has  accordingly  issued  schematic  guidelines  for Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas. The said schematic guidelines do not  specifically  refer  to  the  Provisions  of  the  Panchayats  Extension  to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act. However, as per the said schematic guidelines, the  State  Governments/UT  Administrations  shall  be  required  to  identify suitable  tribal  village(s)  and  tribal  beneficiary  (ies)  in  tribal  areas  for construction/ renovation of homestays and this shall be done in consultation with the local community. Further, the State/UT will submit the project to the Ministry under this scheme and funds will be released to the implementing agency  of  the  concerned  State/UT,  which  will  further  be  responsible  to defined and transparent manner. The schematic guidelines also suggest the concerned  States  to  frame  the  operation  guidelines  for  implementation  of disburse  funds  to  individual  beneficiaries/village  communities  in  a  wellthe scheme, in compliance with extant laws, rules and regulations in place.

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