Lok Sabha Question No. 1141 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Setting up of UNESCO Geopark  in Chitrakoot
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Ganesh Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†1141

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

## SETTING UP OF UNESCO GEOPARK IN CHITRAKOOT

## †1141. SHRI GANESH SINGH:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has formulated any roadmap to preserve the Indian Art andCultural Heritage;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to develop a tourist circuit covering Orchha, Khajurao,Panna,  Kalinjar  Fort,  ChitrakootSarbhanga  Ashram,  Sutikshan  Muni  Ashram, Siddha Pahad,Birsinghpur, Satna, Ramvan, PondiKhajuri, Markandeya Ashram, White Tiger Safari Mukundpur,Bansagar, Bandhavgarh, Amarkantak, Kanha National Park linking Chitrakoot where BhagwanShri Ram spent the maximum eleven years in exile;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that this whole region covers cultural heritage, religiousbelief, national parks, tiger safari, water bodies and is the source of holy rivers;
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  also  aware  that  the  selection  of  the  said  region  for  setting upUNESCO Geopark is under consideration; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) The Ministry of Culture is actively engaged in conservation and preservation of tangible and intangible art and culture through its various subordinate and attached offices. Archaeological Survey  of  India  under  the  Ministry  of  Culture  regularly  maintains  ancient  monuments  and archaeological sites and remains of national importance as per requirement.
- (b) The Ministry of Tourism, under its various schemes like Swadesh Darshan, Challenge Based Destination  Development,  Special  Assistance  to  State  for  Capital  Investment,  PRASAD Scheme and Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development provide financial  assistance  to  State  /  UT  Administration  for  tourism  infrastructure  development subject to the availability of funds, submission of suitable Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), adherence to scheme guidelines, etc.

The details of projects sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism are given at Annexure .

- (c) The region is rich in such diversities.
- (d) & In  this  regard;  Geological  Survey  of  India  under  the  Ministry  of  Mines  has  initiated  its preliminary field investigation.

(e)

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## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (B) OF THE LOK SABHAUNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†1141FOR 02.12.2024

## THE DETAILS OF PROJECTS SANCTIONED

- (A) Details of project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
- (B) The Swadesh Darshan Scheme has been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme (SD2.0) with the aim to develop sustainable and responsible tourism. In consultation with the State Government of  Madhya  Pradesh  and  in  line  with  the  SD2.0  scheme  guidelines,  the  Ministry  has  identified "Gwalior" and "Chitrakoot" in Madhya Pradesh and has sanctioned "Phoolbagh Experience Zone, Gwalior for Rs.16.73 Crore' and 'Spiritual Experience at Chitrakoot for Rs. 27.21 Crore'.
- (C) Under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), a sub-scheme under SD2.0, the Ministry has sanctioned 'Mandu' and 'Orchha' as destinations under 'Culture & Heritage' and 'Spiritual Tourism' respectively for Rs. 25 Crore each.
- (D) Further, the Government of India has sanctioned two projects in Madhya Pradesh i.e., 'Orchha A Medieval Splendour for Rs.99.92 Crore' and 'International Convention Centre for MICE in Bhopal for Rs.95.34 Crore' under the Scheme-Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment(SASCI) 2024-25.
- (E) Under 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)' Scheme, the  Ministry  has  sanctioned  02  projects  'Development  of  Amarkantak'  and  'Development  of Omkareshwar' for Rs.49.99 Crore and Rs.43.93 Crore respectively. Under PRASHAD scheme, the Ministry  has  identified  'Shri  PeetmbraPeetha,  Datia  District'  and  'Shanidev  Temple,  Morena District' in Madhya Pradesh.
- (F) Under  'Assistance  to  Central  Agencies  for  Tourism  Infrastructure  Development'  Scheme,  the Ministry has sanctioned a project 'Tourism Infrastructure at Beltaal Lake, Damoh, Madhya Pradesh by ITDC' for an amount of Rs.23.15 Crore.

|   1. | Development of Wildlife Circuit at Panna- Mukundpur- Sanjay- Dubri-Bandhavgarh- Kanha- Mukki- Pench                                         | Wildlife Circuit / 2015-16   |   92.10 |
|------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------|---------|
|    2 | Development of Sanchi-Satna-Rewa-Mandsaur-Dhar                                                                                              | Buddhist Circuit / 2016-17   |   74.02 |
|    3 | Development of Gwalior - Orchha - Khajuraho - Chanderi - Bhimbetka - Mandu                                                                  | Heritage Circuit / 2016-17   |   89.82 |
|    4 | Development of Gandhisagar Dam- Mandleshwar Dam- Omkareshwar Dam- Indira Sagar Dam- Tawa Dam- Bargi Dam- BhedaGhat- Bansagar Dam- Ken River | Eco Circuit / 2017-18        |   93.76 |

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