Lok Sabha Question No. 241 (STARRED), answered on 2023-08-07
Subject: Development of Eco-Tourism Circuits under SDS
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Rajendra Agrawal, Ramesh Chandra Majhi

- (a)
- (b)
- (c)
- (d)
- (e)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. †*241 ANSWERED ON 07.08.2023

## DEVELOPMENT OF ECO-TOURISM CIRCUITS UNDER SDS

## †*241 .SHRI RAJENDRA AGRAWAL: SHRI RAMESH CHANDRA MAJHI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

the  details  of  the  Eco-Tourism  Circuits  developed  in  the  country including  Uttar  Pradesh  and  Odisha  under  the  Swadesh  Darshan Scheme (SDS); the funds sanctioned for the said tourism circuits during the last three years; the number of projects in Uttar Pradesh and Odisha under the said tourism circuit which are not completed yet and the date by which the said projects are likely to be completed; whether  the  Government  proposes  to  cover  Hastinapur  Wildlife Sanctuary and Nabarangpur Wildlife Sanctuary in the said circuit under SDS in consultation with the State Government; and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.†*241 ANSWERED ON 07.08.2023 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF ECO-TOURISM CIRCUITS UNDER SDS

(a) to (e): The  Ministry of Tourism,  Government  of  India  launched 'Swadesh  Darshan  Scheme'  (SD S)  in  the  year  2014-15  for  integrated development  of  Theme-Based  Tourist  Circuits  in  the  country.  This Ministry has sanctioned a total of 76 projects for an amount of ₹ 5303. 64 crore  across  the  country  under  various  identified  thematic  circuits  of SDS including 08 projects in Uttar Pradesh and 01 project in Odisha. A total of 06 projects have been sanctioned under the Eco Circuit theme of SDS in different States for a total am ount of ₹ 415.11 crore, the detail of these projects are as under:

## (Amount in ₹ Crore)

|   S. No. | Name of State   | Year of sanction   | Project Name                                                                                                                                                                                    |   Amount Sanctioned |
|----------|-----------------|--------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
|        1 | Uttarakhand     | 2015-16            | Integrated Development of Eco-Tourism, Adventure Sports, Associated Tourism related Infrastructure for Development of Tehri Lake & Surroundings as New Destination-District Tehri, Uttarakhand. |               69.17 |
|        2 | Telangana       | 2015-16            | Development of Circuit in Mahaboobnagar districts (Somasila, Singotam, Kadalaivanam, Akkamahadevi, Egalanpanta, Farahabad, Uma Maheshwaram, Mallelatheertham)                                   |               91.62 |

| 3.    | Kerala         | 2015-16   | Development of Pathanamthitta- Gavi- Vagamon- Thekkady.                                                                                                                  |   64.08 |
|-------|----------------|-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|
| 4.    | Mizoram        | 2016-17   | Development of Eco- Adventure Circuit at Aizawl - Rawpuichhip - Khawhphawp - Lengpui - -Chatlang- Sakawrhmuituaitlang - Muthee - Beratlawng -Tuirial Airfield - Hmuifang |   66.37 |
| 5.    | Madhya Pradesh | 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 |
| 6.    | Jharkhand      | 2018-19   | Development of Eco Tourism circuit: Dalma- Betla National park- Mirchaiya- Netarhat                                                                                      |   30.11 |
| Total | Total          | Total     | Total                                                                                                                                                                    |  415.11 |

'Swadesh Darshan Scheme' (SDS) has been revamped as 'Swadesh Darshan  2.0  (SD2.0)'  with  the  objective  to  develop  sustainable  and responsible tourism destinations. The  scheme  guidelines envisage selection for  Destinations  based  on  State Perspective  Plan  (SPP) prepared by the States. The SPP submitted by the State Government of Uttar Pradesh and also Odisha did not included Hastinapur or Nabarangpur Widlife Sanctuaries for development. However, the Ministry of Tourism has identified 'Prayagraj' & 'Naimisharanya' in Uttar Pradesh and 'Koraput' in Odisha as destinations for development under SD2.0.

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