Lok Sabha Question No. 4990 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Recognition of Munrothuruthu as National Tourism Destination
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4990 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026

## RECOGNITION OF MUNROTHURUTHU AS

## NATIONAL TOURISM DESTINATION

## 4990.SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  proposal  from  the  State Government of Kerala or any other authority for recognition and inclusion of  Munrothuruthu  in  Kollam  district  as  a  nationally  promoted  tourism destination;
- (b)  whether Munrothuruthu has been considered under any Central schemes such as Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD or other thematic tourism circuits;
- (c) the criteria adopted by the Government for inclusion of destinations under national tourism promotion programmes;
- (d) whether  any  financial  assistance  has  been  sanctioned  or  is  under consideration  for  infrastructure  development,  eco-tourism,  backwater tourism or heritage tourism at Munrothuruthu; and
- (e) the  details  of  the  steps  proposed  to  promote  Munrothuruthu  as  a sustainable  tourism  destination  of  national  importance,  considering  its unique backwater ecosystem and biodiversity?

## ANSWER

(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(a) to (e): Development  and  promotion  of  tourism  destinations  is  primarily done  by  the  concerned  State  Government  (SG)/UT  Administration  (UTA). However, Ministry of Tourism under its various schemes including 'Swadesh Darshan (SD)', 'Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)' , 'Challenge Based Destination Development -CBDD'  (an  initiative  under  Swadesh  Darshan  scheme)  and 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)' provides financial assistance for development of tourism infrastructure and experiences in the country including in the state of Kerala, on receipt of the project proposals from State Governments/UT Administrations, in synergy with the scheme guidelines, Government directions,  availability  of  funds,  inter-se  priority  etc.  The  above-mentioned schemes are approved till March, 2026 and presently there is no proposal for

consideration before the Ministry. Details of the projects sanctioned under SD, SD2.0, CBDD and PRASHAD schemes in the state of Kerala is annexed. Government  of  India  in  202425  sanctioned  the  projects  'Ashtamudi Biodiversity and Ecorecreational Hub in Kollam' for Rs. 59.71 Crore and 'Global Gateway to Malabar's Cultural Crucible in Sargaalaya' for Rs. 95.34 Crore under its initiative for 'Special A ssistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale'. In addition, the Ministry of Tourism holistically promotes various tourism destinations and products of the country including those in the state of Kerala through various promotional tools such as website, events, social media etc.

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ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4990 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026 REGARDING RECOGNITION OF MUNROTHURUTHU AS NATIONAL TOURISM DESTINATION RAISED BY SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH

Details  of  the  projects  sanctioned  under  SD,  SD2.0,  CBDD  &  PRASHAD schemes in the state of Kerala:

| Scheme              | Circuit/Year of Sanction   | Name of the project                                                                                                             |   Sanction Amount (₹ In Crore) |
|---------------------|----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------|
| Swadesh Darshan     | Eco Circuit 2015-16        | Development of Pathanamthitta- Gavi- Vagamon- Thekkady                                                                          |                          64.08 |
| Swadesh Darshan     | Spiritual Circuit 2016-17  | Development of Sabarimala - Erumeli-Pampa-Sannidhanam                                                                           |                          46.54 |
| Swadesh Darshan     | Spiritual Circuit 2016-17  | Development of Sree Padmanabha Arnamula                                                                                         |                          78.08 |
| Swadesh Darshan     | Rural Circuit 2018-19      | Development of Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project                                                                           |                          57.35 |
| Swadesh Darshan     | Spiritual Circuit 2018-19  | Development Sivagiri Sree Narayana Guru Ashram- Arruvipuram- Kunnumpara Sree Subrahmania- Chembazhanthi Sree Narayana Gurukulam |                          66.42 |
| Swadesh Darshan 2.0 | 2024-25                    | Alappuzha: A Global Water Wonderland                                                                                            |                          93.18 |
| Swadesh Darshan 2.0 | 2024-25                    | Enhancement of Tourist Experience at Malampuzha Garden and Leisure Park                                                         |                          75.87 |
| Swadesh Darshan 2.0 | 2023-24                    | Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Experience                                                                                             |                          13.81 |
| CBDD                | 2024-25                    | Varkala-Dakshin Kashi                                                                                                           |                          25    |
| CBDD                | 2024-25                    | Thalassery: The Spritiual Nexus                                                                                                 |                          25    |
| PRASHAD             | 2016-17                    | Development at Guruvayur Temple                                                                                                 |                          45.19 |

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