Lok Sabha Question No. 25 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-25
Subject: Promotion of Rural Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Smt. Delkar Kalaben Mohanbhai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†25 ANSWERED ON 25.11.2024

## PROMOTION OF RURAL TOURISM

- †25 SMT. DELKAR KALABEN MOHANBHAI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to formulate a new scheme to promote  rural  tourism  so  as  to  increase  the  income  of  the  rural families of Dadra and Nagar Haveli;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  invested  adequate  funds  for  the development of rural  tourism  in  the  country  particularly  in  Dadra and Nagar Haveli; and
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof for the last three years?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM         (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) to (d): Recognizing  the  immense  potential  of  rural  tourism  in  the country,  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  formulated  National  Strategies  for Development  of  Rural  Tourism  and  promotion  of  Rural  Homestays  in India.

The  Ministry  of  Tourism  promotes  India  in  a  holistic  manner,  through various  initiatives.  As  part  of  the  on-going  activities,  promotion  of various  tourism  destinations  and  products  including  Rural  tourism  and Rural homestays are taken up.

In addition, the Ministry of Tourism has identified Rural Circuit as one of the thematic circuits under its Swadesh Darshan Scheme. The details of projects  sanctioned  under  Rural  Circuit  of  the  scheme  are  given  at Annexure.

The Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme has been initiated with the objective of  developing  sustainable  and  responsible  destinations  following  a tourist &  destination centric  approach.  Under  this  scheme,  Rural Tourism  Cluster  Experience  project  has  been  sanctioned  at  Gunji, Uttarakhand. The Government has approved the initiative to develop tribal home-stays under  Swadesh  Darshan  Scheme,  as  part  of  'Pradhan  Mantri  Janjatiya Unnat  Gram  Abhiyan'.  The  said  intervention  includes  development  of 1000  homestays  with  support  of  upto  Rs.5  Lakh  per  unit  (for  new construction),  upto  Rs.3  Lakh  (renovation)  and  Rs.5  Lakh  for  village community requirement.

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ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY OF PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. † 25  ANWERED ON 25.11.2024 REGARDING PROMOTION OF RURAL TOURISM BY SMT. DELKAR KALABEN MOHANBHAI.

PROJECTS SANCTIONED UNDER RURAL CIRCUIT OF SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME

(Amount in ₹ crore)

| S. No.   | Name of State   | Year      | Project Name                                                     |   Amount Sanctioned |   Amount Released |
|----------|-----------------|-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|-------------------|
| 1.       | Bihar           | (2017-18) | Development of Gandhi Circuit: Bhitiharwa- Chandrahia- Turkaulia |               44.27 |             40.31 |
| 2.       | Kerala          | (2018-19) | Development of Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project            |               57.35 |             45.88 |
|          |                 |           | Total                                                            |              101.62 |             86.19 |

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