Lok Sabha Question No. 1269 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-25
Subject: Himachal Tourism Survey
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: ANURAG SINGH THAKUR, R.P. MARUTHARAJAA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1269 ANSWERED ON 25.07.2016

## HIMACHAL TOURISM SURVEY

## 1269. SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR: SHRI R.P. MARUTHARAJAA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  ever  assessed  the  tourism potential of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab in consultation with the State Governments and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is planning to undertake a study on carrying capacity of tourist destinations of Himachal Pradesh and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  issued/proposes  to  issue  any directions to State Governments to maintain cleanliness and for  regulation  on  unauthorized  constructions  at  main  tourist spots and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  plans  to  set  up  Special  Tourism Zones in certain States specially Himachal Pradesh owing to its large tourism potential; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a), (b), (d) & (e): Assessing tourism potential, undertaking study  on  carrying  capacity  of  tourist  destinations,  setting  up  of Special  Tourism  zones  is  primarily  the  responsibility  of  the  State Governments and Union territories. The State Government of Punjab has informed that they have conducted a study through UNWTO and based on that study, Infrastructure Development Investment Programme for Tourism (IDIPT) is being implemented through Asian Development Bank (ADB) funding.

The Ministry of Tourism conducted a study during 2012-13 for identification  of  tourism  circuits/destination  which  included  the State of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

For the State of Himachal  Pradesh, three circuits were identified  and  based  on  their  carrying  capacity  assessment  and tourism potential; Chandigarh-Bilaspur-Mandu-Kullu-ManaliManikaran circuit was proposed as the priority circuit for the State of Himachal Pradesh.

For the State of Punjab, four circuits were identified and based on their carrying capacity assessment and tourism potential, Sikh circuit was proposed as the priority circuit i.e. Punj Takhts in Punjab (The  three  Takhts  are  Akal  Takht  in  Amritsar,  Srikesh  Sahib  in Anandpur and Sri Damdama Sahib at Talwand Sabo Bhatinda district and prominent Gurdwaras in Punjab).

- (c): The Ministry of Tourism launched a Campaign Clean India in 2012-13  to  sensitize  all  sections  of  society  on  the  importance  of cleanliness  and  hygiene  and  to  ensure  an  acceptable  level  of cleanliness and hygiene practices at tourist destination. The campaign is a blend of persuasion, education, training and demonstration.

For the State of Himachal Pradesh, the destinations identified under  Campaign  Clean  India  are  a  group  of  temples  in  Chamba, Shimla Mall Road in Shimla, Dalhousie, Khajiar in Dalhousie.

For  the  State  of  Punjab  the  destinations  identified  under Campaign Clean India are Jallianwala Bagh and approach to Golden Temple in Amritsar.

With a vision to ensure an acceptable level of cleanliness at tourist destinations/tourist spots the Ministry of Tourism has taken following initiatives under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: -

- (i) Swachh  Bharat  -Swachh Smarak- an  initiative  to see a cleaner India for protecting and preserving the sanctity of monuments of national heritage.
- (ii) Swachh Bharat-Swachh Pakwan-this initiative is aimed at upgrading the skills and hygiene standards of Street Food
- Vendors in partnership with the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI).
- (iii)   Swachh  Bharat-Swachh  Paryatan-all States/UTs were asked to assess the requirement of toilet facilities at all popular  tourist  sites.    All  industry  associations  were requested  to  motivate  their  members  to  install  the 'Organic waste to Compost' Machines in their premises, which  converts  organic  waste  into  compost  in  just  24 hours.

Under Swadesh Darshan and PRASAD Schemes the Ministry of Tourism  provide  Central  Financial  Assistance  to  States/UT's  for Infrastructure  development  including  wayside  amenities,  garbage bins, sewerage/effluent disposal, etc.

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