Lok Sabha Question No. 133 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-01
Subject: Eco-Tourism and Wildlife Tourism in Maharashtra
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Ms. Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.133 ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025

## ECO-TOURISM AND WILDLIFE TOURISM IN MAHARASHTRA

## 133. MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the growing potential of eco-tourism  and  wildlife  tourism  in  Maharashtra's  protected  forest areas;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  ongoing  or  proposed  eco-tourism  projects supported by the Government in coordination with the State Forest Department;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  issued  any  guidelines  to  ensure  that tourism in these areas does not harm ecological balance and wildlife habitats;
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  details  of  the  funds  sanctioned  and  utilized  for  eco-tourism infrastructure in Maharashtra during the last five years, district-wise?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM           (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) to (e): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, including eco-tourism and wildlife tourism is undertaken by the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration.

The Ministry of Tourism through its central sector schemes of ' Swadesh Darshan, ' Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  and  Spiritual,  Heritage  Augmentation Drive  (PRASHAD) ' and ' Assistance  to  Central  Agencies  for  Tourism Infrastructure  Development ' extends  financial  assistance  to  the  State Governments / UT Administrations for tourism infrastructure development in  the  country. The  central  financial  assistance  is  being  extended according to guidelines and based on proposals / detailed project reports received  from  the  States  and  UT  Governments.  The  details  of  projects sanctioned in the State of Maharashtra are given at Annexure-I.

The  Swadesh  Darshan  Scheme  of  the  Ministry  has  been  revamped  as 0  with  the  objective  to  develop  sustainable  and responsible tourism destinations following a tourist & destination centric

Environmental  Sustainability  is  a  key  pillar  in  the  National  Strategy  for Sustainable Tourism formulated by the Ministry and circulated to the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. In line with the strategy, Travel for LiFE programme was initiated to encourage tourists and tourism

Swadesh  Darshan  2 . approach. businesses to adopt sustainable tourism practices.

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ANNEXURE-I

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.133 ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025 REGARDING ECO-TOURISM AND  WILDLIFE  TOURISM  IN  MAHARASHTRA  RAISED  BY  MS.  PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE

## The details of projects sanctioned in the State of Maharashtra:

| S. No.   | Name of Project                                                                                                    | Sanction Cost (₹ Crore)   |
|----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|
| A        | Swadesh Darshan 1.0                                                                                                |                           |
| i.       | Development of Sindhudurg Coastal Circuit - Sagareshwar, Tarkarli, Vijaydurg (Beach & Creek), Mitbhav (March 2016) | 19.06                     |
| ii.      | Development of Waki- Adasa- Dhapewada- Paradsingha- Telankhandi- Girad (May 2018)                                  | 45.47                     |
|          | Total Sanction Cost                                                                                                | 64.53                     |
| B i.     | Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Shivsrushti Historical ThemePark- Phase 3, Pune                                                | 76.22                     |
| C        | Total Sanction Cost Challenge Based Destination Development                                                        | 76.22                     |
| i.       | Development of Ahmednagar Fort (March 2025)                                                                        | 25.00                     |
|          | Total Sanction Cost                                                                                                | 25.00                     |
| D        | PRASHAD                                                                                                            |                           |
| i.       | Development of Trimbakeshwar, Nashik (Jan 2018, rev Feb 2025)                                                      | 45.41                     |
| E        | Total Sanction Cost Assistance to States for Capital                                                               | 45.41                     |
|          | Special Investment (SASCI)                                                                                         |                           |
| i.       | RAM-KAL PATH, Nashik (Nov 2024)                                                                                    | 99.14                     |
| ii.      | Ex-INS Guldar Underwater Museum, Artificial Reef, and Submarine Tourism, Sindhudurg (Nov 2024)                     | 46.91                     |
|          | Total Sanction Cost                                                                                                | 146.05                    |

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