Lok Sabha Question No. 1358 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-25
Subject: Cleanliness at Tourist Spots
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: HARISH CHANDRA MEENA, RAJESHBHAI NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1358 ANSWERED ON 25.07.2016

## CLEANLINESS AT TOURIST SPOTS

## 1358. SHRI HARISH MEENA: SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the Government  has  formulated any scheme  to maintain cleanliness at tourist spots across the country and if so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  modus  operandi  being followed by the Government to maintain cleanliness at tourist places;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  issued  guidelines/strictness  in coordination  with  State  Governments/UT  administrations  to impose fine/imprisonment on the visitors responsible for making tourist places dirty and if so, the details thereof along with  the  number  of such  cases and  the action  taken  by  the Government;
- (c) the other steps taken by the Government to ensure cleanliness at  all  tourist  destinations  in  the  country  in  coordination  with State Governments/UT administrations; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  asked  PSUs  to  pay  for  the cleaning up of iconic tourist places in the country as a part of its Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and if so, the details of the tourist places identified in the country, State/UT-wise including Rajasthan?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): (i) Formulation of project under tourism sector including  that  to  maintain  cleanliness  at  tourist spots across the country is primarily the
- responsibility of the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations.  The Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to them for such tourism projects subject to receipt of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), adherence of existing  scheme  guidelines,  availability  of  funds and  liquidation  of  utilisation  certificates  for  funds released earlier.
- (ii) As  far  as  centrally  protected  monuments  under Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI)  is  concerned an initiative has been launched to clean all monument premises and ensure:-
* no garbage can be seen in the premises;
* to provide adequate amenities for visitors and inside
- to ensure that  no litter is thrown monuments;
- *
- to sensitize visitors as well as staff in maintaining monuments clean; and to provide waste management system.

The Campaign is followed for all centrally protected monuments  in  the country  so  that  they  are  maintained  in a  good state of preservation and cleanliness. In addition to conservation, preservation, maintenance and development of environs of centrally protected  monuments,  creation  of  tourist  related  amenities  (e.g. drinking  water,  toilet  blocks,  facilities  for  physically  challenged, pathways,  cultural  notice  boards/signage,  vehicle  parking,  cloak rooms,  etc.)  at  the  centrally  protected  monuments/sites  are  the regular  activities  which  the  ASI  undertakes  as  per  needs  and availability  of  resources.  Other  step  taken  by  ASI  in  this  regard includes cultural awareness programs on various occasions organized  by  ASI.  The  expenditure  for cleanliness  and day  to  day maintenance of monuments is met out from regular budget of ASI and no separate funds are allotted. The fund allocated and expenditure incurred on conservation, preservation and maintenance including cleaning of monuments of National importance  in  the  country  during  year  2014-15  and  2015-16  is Rs.23551.95 lakhs and Rs.23861.24 lakhs respectively.

- (c): (i) Government has plan to clean 100 iconic sites in India. On pilot basis 10 iconic places, including 1 from Rajasthan  (Ajmer  Sharif),  have  been  identified  to  be cleaned up in 1st Phase. All  the Stakeholders, who are responsible for upkeep  of these iconic place, that includes the Local Administration, Tourism Department, Archaeological Survey of India etc. have been advised to prepare their plan along with expenditure to be incurred and  sources/schemes  from  where  the  funds  are  to  be dovetailed.  In a  workshop  held on  8-9th  July,  2016  the Technical  Experts  from  World  Banks  were  called  to provide  support  in  preparing  the  proposed  Action  Plan. The work is likely to start after the monsoon is over.
- (ii) In  order  to  create  awareness  about  cleanliness  and  to discourage  littering at  tourist  destinations,  the  Ministry of  Tourism  has  launched  the  'Swachh  Paryatan  Mobile App' at 25 selected ASI monuments across the country in the first phase. Through this App, the visitors can take photographs  of  unclean  areas  and  garbage  and  upload the same for removal by the concerned authorities, i.e. the Nodal Officers for the monuments.
- (iii)   All  State  Governments/UT  Administrations  have  been advised  to  launch  special  cleaning  and  sensitisation drives at their tourist destinations and all eateries. They have  also  been  instructed  to  print  the  Swachh  Bharat Mission  logo  and  messages  on  the  back  of  the  entry tickets for all tourist places.
- (d): Yes, Madam. The State/UT-wise list of tourist places identified in the country is at annexure.

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ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PART (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1358 ANSWERED ON 25.07.2016 REGARDING CLEANLINESS AT TOURIST SPOTS.

|   Sl. No | Name of State/UT   |   No. of tourist places | Name of tourist place        |
|----------|--------------------|-------------------------|------------------------------|
|        1 | Andhra Pradesh     |                       1 | Golconda Fort, Hyderabad     |
|        2 | Delhi              |                       3 | Purana Qila                  |
|        3 | Maharashtra        |                       2 | Elephanta Caves Ellora Caves |
|        4 | Tamil Nadu         |                       1 | Mahabalipuram                |
|        5 | Uttar Pradesh      |                       1 | Taj Mahal (Agra)             |
|        6 | Uttrakhand         |                       1 | Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar       |

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