Lok Sabha Question No. 2450 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Promotion of Wildlife and Forest Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Dr. Shivaji Bandappa Kalge, Shri Bhumare Sandipanrao Asaram, Shri Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke, Shri Gyaneshwar Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2450

## ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## PROMOTION OF WILDLIFE AND FOREST TOURISM

†2450.   SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL:

DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE:

SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM:

SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is a huge potential available for wildlife and forest tourism  in  the  country  particularly  in  Maharashtra  and  Madhya Pradesh;
- (b) if so, the steps taken to tap the tourism potential across various States of the country including Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh; and
- (c) the measures proposed/implemented to promote various districts of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh as a major destination for ecotourism to explore wildlife and forest tourism?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM      (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (c): The Ministry of Tourism promotes India in a holistic manner, through various initiatives. As part of on-going activities; promotion of wildlife tourism in forest areas in the country, including Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, is also taken up. The Ministry of Tourism also regularly  promotes  wildlife  tourism  through  its  website  and  social media promotions.

In order to provide impetus for development of wildlife tourism in the country, Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy for Development  of Ecotourism which was  circulated to the State Governments / UT Administrations.

Ministry  of  Tourism  under  its  scheme  of  Swadesh  Darshan  has identified thematic circuits for development, including Wildlife and Eco Circuits. These circuits cover National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Reserves  in  the  country.  The  central  financial  assistance  is  being extended  according  to  guidelines  and  based  on  proposals  /  detailed project  reports  received  from  the  States  and  UT  Governments.  The details of the projects sanctioned under the Eco and Wildlife Circuits of Swadesh Darshan Scheme in various States/UTs is given at Annexure.

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ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2450 ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025 REGARDING PROMOTION  OF  WILDLIFE  AND  FOREST  TOURISM  RAISED  BY  SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL, DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE, SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM AND SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE

The list of the projects sanctioned under Eco and Wildlife Circuits of Swadesh Darshan scheme is as under:-

Eco Circuit

(Rs. in Crore)

|   S. No. | State/UT       | Circuit / Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                                                                                                                                   |   Amount Sanctioned |
|----------|----------------|---------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
|        1 | Jharkhand      | Eco Circuit 2018-19       | Development of Eco Tourism circuit: Dalma- Betla National park- Mirchaiya- Netarhat                                                                                   |               30.44 |
|        2 | Kerala         | Eco Circuit 2015-16       | Development of Pathanamthitta- Gavi- Vagamon- Thekkady                                                                                                                |               64.08 |
|        3 | Madhya Pradesh | Eco Circuit 2017-18       | Development of Gandhisagar Dam- Mandleshwar Dam- Omkareshwar Dam- Indira Sagar Dam- Tawa Dam- Bargi Dam- Bheda Ghat- Bansagar Dam- Ken River                          |               93.76 |
|        4 | Mizoram        | Eco Circuit 2016-17       | Development of Eco- Adventure Circuit Aizawl - Rawpuichhip - Khawhphawp - Lengpui - Chatlang- Sakawrhmuituaitlang - Muthee - Beratlawng - Tuirial Airfield - Hmuifang |               66.37 |
|        5 | Telangana      | Eco Circuit 2015-16       | Development of Eco Tourism Circuit in Mahaboobnagar district                                                                                                          |               91.62 |

| 6.   | Uttarakhand   | Eco             | Integrated Development of                                                                                                                                   | 69.17   |
|------|---------------|-----------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|
|      |               | Circuit 2015-16 | Eco-Tourism, Adventure Sports, and Associated Tourism Related Infrastructure for Development of Tehri Lake & Surroundings as New Destination-District Tehri |         |

## Wildlife Circuit (Rs. in Crore)

|   S. No. | State/ UT      | Circuit / Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                                                                |   Amount Sanctioned |
|----------|----------------|---------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
|        1 | Assam          | Wildlife Circuit 2015-16  | Development of Manas- Probitora- Nameri- Kaziranga- Dibru- Saikhowa                                |               94.68 |
|        2 | Madhya Pradesh | Wildlife Circuit 2015-16  | Development of Wildlife Circuit at Panna-Mukundpur- Sanjay- Dubri-Bandhavgarh- Kanha- Mukki- Pench |               92.1  |

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