Lok Sabha Question No. 2719 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Tribal Tourism Development
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Rajabhau Parag Prakash Waje

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2719 ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

## TRIBAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

## 2719. SHRI RAJABHAU PARAG PRAKASH WAJE:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken cognisance of the fact that Nashik  District has  significant tribal population and  rich natural,  cultural,  and  religious  tourism  potential,  but  lacks structured initiatives to generate employment for tribal communities through sustainable tourism;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  assessment  of eco-tourism,  adventure  tourism  and  heritage  tourism  that could be developed in tribal areas, especially around Igatputi and Trimbakeshwar, to create local livelihood opportunities, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government intends to launch a dedicated tribal tourism  development  scheme  which  will  help  in  boosting employment by way of eco-tourism projects, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  financial  and technical support under the Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes to develop tribal tourism circuits, promote homestays and support tribal handicrafts and cultural tourism for economic upliftment, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF TOURISM  (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (d): As conveyed by Ministry of Tribal Affairs, it is implementing  a  proviso  to  Grants  under  Article  275(1)  of  the Constitution Under which funds are provided to State Governments with  notified  STs  including  Maharashtra  based  upon  proposals received  from  the  State  Government  duly  approved  by  Executive Committee  and  after  appraisal  and  approval  thereof  by  a  Project Appraisal  Committee  (PAC)  constituted  in  the  Ministry  of  Tribal Affairs  for  this  purpose.  It  is  a  100%  grant  from  Government  of India. Funding under this programme is to enable the State to meet the cost of such schemes of development as may be undertaken by the  State  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  the  welfare  of  Scheduled Tribes  in  that  State.  Government  has  adopted  a  multi-provide pronged strategy for overall development of tribal people across the country, which inter- alia includes Tourism Sector. During 2024-25, State  Government  of  Maharashtra  had  submitted  the  proposal "Shabari Aadi-Paryatan Yojana (Shabari Tribal Tourism Program) at 25 Villages including in Nashik. PAC approved the project amounting

to Rs.1375.00 lakh for 2024-25.

Development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, including religious tourism, eco-tourism, adventure tourism, tribal and heritage 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,  including  eco-tourism, adventure  tourism  and  heritage  tourism  in  Maharashtra  through various schemes and initiatives.

To  position  India  as  a  preferred  destination  for  Ecotourism, Adventure  Tourism  and  Sustainable  Tourism  globally,  Ministry  of Tourism has formulated National Strategies for Eco-Tourism, Adventure Tourism and Sustainable Tourism.

To  boost  employment,  the  Government  has  approved  the initiative  to  develop  tribal  homestays  under  Swadesh  Darshan Scheme  of  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  as  part  of  'Pradhan  Mantri Janjatiya  Unnat  Gram  Abhiyan'.  The  said  intervention  includes development of 1000 homestays with support of upto Rs.5.00 Lakh per unit for new construction, up to Rs.3.00 Lakh for renovation and Rs.5.00 Lakh for village community requirements.

Ministry of Tourism extends financial support to State Governments  and  Union  Territories  for  development  of  tourism under  its  schemes  of  Swadesh  Darshan  and  National  Mission  on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive

(PRASHAD)  for  Tourism  Infrastructure  Development  including  for development of religious tourism, cultural tourism, heritage tourism, adventure tourism and Tribal Tourism. Ministry has revamped Swadesh Darshan Scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible destinations following a destination centric approach. Tribal-circuit was identified as one of the theme for development under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. Details of these projects are Annexed. Proposals are received from States/UTs from time to time for seeking  financial  assistance  under  the  various  schemes  of  the Ministry  of  Tourism.  These  proposals  are  extended  for  projects subject to fulfilment of the stipulated provisions and availability of funds.

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ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2719 ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025 REGARDING  TRIBAL  TOURISM  DEVELOPMENT  RAISED  BY  SHRI RAJABHAU PARAG PRAKASH WAJE

List  of  projects  sanctioned  under  the  Tribal  Circuit  Theme  of Swadesh Darshan Scheme

|   S. No. | State/ UT    | Circuit / Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                                                                                                                             |   Amount Sanctioned ( in ₹ Cr ore) |
|----------|--------------|---------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
|        1 | Chhattisgarh | Tribal Circuit 2015-16    | Development of Jashpur- Kunkuri- Mainpat- Kamleshpur - Maheshpur -Kurdar - Sarodhadadar- Gangrel- Kondagaon - Nathiyanawagaon- Jagdalpur- Chitrakoot- Tirthgarh |                              96.1  |
|        2 | Nagaland     | Tribal Circuit 2015-16    | Development of Tribal Circuit Peren- Kohima- Wokha                                                                                                              |                              97.36 |
|        3 | Nagaland     | Tribal Circuit 2016-17    | Development of Mokokchung-Tuensang- Mon                                                                                                                         |                              98.14 |
|        4 | Telangana    | Tribal Circuit 2016-17    | Development of Mulugu- Laknavaram- Medavaram- Tadvai- Damaravi- Mallur- Bogatha Waterfalls                                                                      |                              79.87 |

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