Lok Sabha Question No. 1218 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Dayal Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1218 ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

## SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CRITERIA FOR INDIA

## 1218. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  number  of  tourist  destinations  and  service providers certified under the Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India (STCI), State/UT-wise;
- (b) the details of the funds allocated and utilised under the National Strategy  for  Sustainable  Tourism  during  the  last  three  years, along with major projects supported;
- (c) the details of the number of capacity-building and awareness programmes conducted for stakeholders and local communities particularly in ecologically sensitive or protected zones; and
- (d) whether any monitoring mechanism or performance indicators have been developed to assess reductions in carbon footprint, waste generation or resource consumption at certified destinations?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF TOURISM    (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a)  to  (d):  The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  launched  a  Comprehensive Sustainable Tourism  Criteria for India (STCI) for three major segments of tourism industry, namely Tour Operators, Accommodation and Beaches, Backwaters, Lakes and Rivers sectors. The criterion has been adopted by the stakeholders. The tour operators approved by the Ministry of Tourism have to sign a pledge for commitment towards 'Safe & Honourable Tourism and Sustainable Tourism' to fully implement Sustainable Tourism practices, consistent with the best environment  and  heritage protection standards, such  that the present tourism resource requirements  optimize  both  local  community  benefit  and  future sustainable uses. As on date, 2787 Accommodation Units and 1633 Tourism Service Providers are recognized by Ministry of Tourism.

National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism was formulated by the  Ministry  and  circulated  to  the  State  Governments  and  Union Territory  Administrations. In  line  with  the  strategy,  Travel  for  Life (TFL)  programme  was  initiated  to  encourage  tourists  and  tourism businesses  to  adopt  sustainable  tourism  practices.  No  separate budget has been allocated under the National Strategy for Sustainable tourism.

Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change conducted training programme of  15  days  each for  210  persons  during  2023-24  on Alternate Livelihood Programme  (ALP)  and Paryavaran Naavik Certificate  (PNC)  at  five  Ramsar  sites  [Sultanpur  National  Park (Haryana),  Yashwant  Sagar  Dam and  Sirpur  Lake,  Indore  (Madhya Pradesh),  Bhitarkanika  Mangrove  and  Chilika  Lake  (Odisha)].  The convergence of the two Ministries aims at supporting the development of Nature Tourism at the Ramsar Sites for preserving and enhancing the local cultural and natural resources.

As  per  the  guidelines  of  Ministry  of  Tourism,  hotels  at  the project stage itself are required to incorporate various eco-friendly measures like Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), Rain Water Harvesting System, waste management system, pollution control, introduction of non-Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) equipment for refrigeration and air conditioning, measures for energy and water conservation etc. The Swadesh Darshan scheme has been revamped to Swadesh Darshan 2.0 for integrated development of tourism destinations in partnership with the States/UTs and local governments for promoting sustainable and responsible tourism in the country. 'Challenge Based Destination Development', a sub -scheme under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 aims for holistic development of a destination to enhance tourist experience across all of tourism value chain to transform our tourist destinations as sustainable and responsible destinations.

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