Lok Sabha Question No. 2360 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-09
Subject: Eco-Friendly Environment for Tourists
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: R.K. BHARATHI MOHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2360 ANSWERED ON 09.05.2016

## ECO-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT FOR TOURISTS

## 2360. SHRI BHARATHI MOHAN R.K.:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to attract more tourists in  the  country  and  to create  eco-friendly  environment for the tourists;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  action  taken  by  the  Government  thereon and the funds allocated to various States/UTs in this regard; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  promotes  India  as  a  holistic destination in the domestic and international markets.  As a part of its promotional activities, the Ministry of Tourism releases campaigns  in  the  international  &  domestic  markets  under  the Incredible India brand-line, showcases various tourism destinations and products including Eco Tourism sites.

The steps taken by the Ministry of Tourism to tap eco- tourism potential and to create eco-friendly environment for the tourists in the country include:

- (i) Development of Comprehensive Sustainable Tourism Criteria  for  India  (STCI)  for  three  major  segments  of  the tourism industry, namely accommodation, tour operators, and  Beaches,  Backwaters,  Lakes  &  Rivers  sectors  in August 2014, which is applicable for the entire country.
- (ii) Issuance of guidelines for approval of Hotel Projects at the implementation stage and also for Classification/Reclassification of operational hotels under various categories.  These  guidelines  mandate  incorporation  of various eco-friendly measures like installation of Sewage Treatment Plant, Rain water Harvesting, Waste Management System, Pollution Control and Introduction of  non-Chlorofluorocarbon  equipment  for  refrigeration and  air  conditioners,  energy  and  water  conservation measures.
- (iii)   For development of tourism infrastructure in the country, the Ministry of Tourism has also launched the Swadesh Darshan  scheme  -  Integrated  Development  of  ThemeBased Tourist Circuits, in 2014-15. Eco Circuit has been identified  as  one  of  the  thirteen  thematic  circuits  for development under the scheme. The Ministry has sanctioned following projects to various State Governments under Eco Circuit theme of Swadesh Darshan scheme:

(Rs. in Crore)

|   Sl. No. | Name of the Project                                                                                                                                                                             |   Amount Sanctioned |
|-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
|         1 | Integrated Development of Eco-Tourism, Adventure Sports, Associated Tourism related Infrastructure for Development of Tehri Lake & Surroundings as New Destination-District Tehri, Uttarakhand. |               80.37 |
|         2 | Integrated Development of Eco Tourism Circuit in Mahaboobnagar district, Telangana.                                                                                                             |               91.62 |
|         3 | Development of Pathanamthitta - Gavi - Vagamon - Thekkady as Eco Tourism Circuit in Idduki and Pathanamthitta Districts in Kerala.                                                              |               99.22 |

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