Lok Sabha Question No. 1378 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-07
Subject: Eco-Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: M. UDHAYAKUMAR, RAJU ALIAS DEVAPPA ANNA SHETTI, NALIN KUMAR KATEEL, RAMESH POKHRIYAL NISHANK, S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA, KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL, GEETHA KOTHAPALLI, J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1378 ANSWERED ON 07.12.2015

## ECO-TOURISM

1378. ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR:

SHRI RAJU SHETTY:

SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL:

DR. RAMESH POKHRIYAL "NISHANK":

SHRI S.P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA:

SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA:

SHRI J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  formulating  any  policy/guidelines for  the  promotion  of  eco-tourism  and  eco-tourism  projects  in the  country  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the locations developed as eco-tourism places across the country, State/UT-wise including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Hilly and Tribal areas of the country;
- (b) the  details  of  Central  financial  assistance  allocated  and  the expenditure  incurred  on  the  promotion  of  eco-tourism  during the last five years, State/UT-wise, year-wise and project-wise;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  received  proposals  from  the State Governments for the development and promotion of ecotourism;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the status of the proposals, State/UT-wise; and
- (e) the  details  of  employment  generated  under  eco-tourism-cumnature programme during the last three years, State/UT-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): Yes, Madam. The Ministry of Tourism has taken several initiatives  to  boost  tourism  including  Eco-tourism  in  the  country.

However,  promotion  and  development  of  tourism  including  Ecotourism  is  the  responsibility  of  the  State  Governments  and  Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for tourism infrastructure projects including  Eco-tourism  projects  that  are  complete  as  per  existing scheme  guidelines  and  are  sanctioned  subject  to  availability  of scheme/funds and utilization of funds released earlier. The amount sanctioned for eco-tourism projects to the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations under Central Financial Assistance during the last five years is given in the Annexure.

The following initiatives are taken by the Ministry to boost Ecotourism in the country:

- (i)    Evolved  &  adopted  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, applicable for the entire country.
- (ii) Guidelines for approval of Hotel Projects at the implementation stage and also for Classification/Reclassification of operational hotels under various categories mandate incorporation of various eco-friendly measures  like  installation  of  Sewage  Treatment  Plant, Rain water Harvesting, Waste Management  System, Pollution Control and Introduction of nonChlorofluorocarbon  equipment  for  refrigeration  and  air conditioners, energy and water conservation measures.
- (iii) Promoting  Eco-Tourism,  inter-alia  through  domestic  and international campaigns and also by supporting seminars, conference and events focusing on development of EcoTourism in the country, from time to time.
- (iv)    Ministry  has  launched  'Swadesh  Darshan  scheme'  for development of theme based tourist circuits on priniciples  of  high  tourist  value,  competitiveness  and sustainability  in  an  integrated  manner  by  synergizing efforts to focus on needs and concerns of all stakeholders  to  enrich  tourist  experience  and  enhance employment opportunities.  One  of  the  themes  on  which circuits  are  to  be  developed  is  Eco  Tourism  Circuit. Following  Eco-tourism  proposals  are  received  in  the Ministry:

|   Sl. No. | State        | Name of the Project                                                                                                                                                  |
|-----------|--------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | Telangana    | Integrated Development of Eco Tourism circuit in Mahaboobnagar District                                                                                              |
|         2 | Chhattisgarh | Integrated Development of Eco Tourism circuit in Rajmergarh-Kabir Chabutra-Achanakmar Tiger Reserve- Kurdar-Sirpur-Kodar Dam-Gangrel Dam- Kanger Vally National Park |
|         3 | Kerala       | Integrated Development of Eco Tourism circuit in Gavi - Pathanamthitta                                                                                               |

********

ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.1378 ANSWERED  ON  07.12.2015  REGARDING  ECOTOURISM.

State-wise/UT Administration-wise and Project-wise of Central Financial Assistance allocated and the expenditure incurred on the promotion of Eco-Tourism infrastructure during the last five years i.e., 2010-11, 201112, 2012-13, 2013-14 & 2014-15:

(Rs. in lakh)

| Sl. No         | Year           | Name of the Project                                                                                                                                                                            | Amount Sanctioned   | Amount Released   | Amount Utilized   |
|----------------|----------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
| ANDHRA PRADESH | ANDHRA PRADESH | ANDHRA PRADESH                                                                                                                                                                                 | ANDHRA PRADESH      | ANDHRA PRADESH    | ANDHRA PRADESH    |
| 1              | 2010-11        | Development of Eco Tourism Centre at Ananthagiri Ranga Reddy District, Andhra Pradesh                                                                                                          | 404.51              | 404.51            | 404.51            |
| 2              | 2011-12        | Development of Eco- Tourism Centre at Orvakallu, Kurnool district                                                                                                                              | 486.35              | 486.35            | 486.35            |
| 3              | 2013-14        | Development of Eco-Park at Kakinada                                                                                                                                                            | 437.00              | 87.40             | 87.40             |
| 4              | 2013-14        | Development of Eco- Tourism Facilities at Coringa, East Godavari District                                                                                                                      | 474.42              | 94.88             | 94.88             |
| 5              | 2013-14        | Development of Eco-Park at Kadiyam, East Godavari District                                                                                                                                     | 295.56              | 59.11             | 59.11             |
| 6              | 2014-15        | Restoration & Reconstruction of Tourism Infrastructure at Borra Caves as a major Eco and Adventure Tourism Centre of Visakhapatnam District: Post HudHud Cyclone Programme. (Tribal Head)      | 96.12               | 19.22             | 0.00              |
| 7              | 2014-15        | Restoration & Reconstruction of Tourism Infrastructure at TYDA Jungle Bells, as a Major Eco and Adventure tourism Centre, Visakhapatnam District: Post HudHud Cyclone Programme (Tribal Head). | 387.63              | 77.52             | 0.00              |
| 8              |                | Restoration & Reconstruction of Tourism Infrastructure at Valley Resort, Araku as a major Eco and Adventure                                                                                    | 198.39              | 39.67             | 0.00              |

|                   |                   | Tourism Centre of Visakhapatnam District : Post HudHud Cyclone Programme (Tribal Head).                                                                                       |                   |                   |                   |
|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
| ARUNACHAL PRADESH | ARUNACHAL PRADESH | ARUNACHAL PRADESH                                                                                                                                                             | ARUNACHAL PRADESH | ARUNACHAL PRADESH | ARUNACHAL PRADESH |
| 1.                | 2010-11           | Construction of Eco- Tourism at Tego Gamlin village, West Siang, AP                                                                                                           | 370.65            | 370.65            | 370.65            |
| 2.                | 2011-12           | Construction of Eco- Tourism at Hukanjuri under Deomali Sub-Division.                                                                                                         | 487.93            | 487.93            | 487.93            |
| 3.                | 2012-13           | Eco-Tourism at Kone Gipong area under Dambuk sub division of Lower Dibang Valley District.                                                                                    | 468.43            | 468.43            | 468.43            |
| 4.                | 2013-14           | Development of Eco-Tourism Circuit at Loki-Partung- Taluaak in East Siang District                                                                                            | 791.31            | 158.26            | 0.00              |
| 5.                | 2014-15           | Construction of Eco- Tourism at Huru Pahar Roing                                                                                                                              | 500.00            | 100.00            | 0.00              |
| CHANDIGARH        | CHANDIGARH        | CHANDIGARH                                                                                                                                                                    | CHANDIGARH        | CHANDIGARH        | CHANDIGARH        |
| 1.                | 2010-11           | Infrastructure up-gradation at Eco-Tourism park-cum- botanical Garden and creation and strengthening of Tourism infrastructure at Patila ki Rao and Lake Dhanas in Chandigarh | 313.32            | 250.65            | 250.65            |
| JAMMU & KASHMIR   | JAMMU & KASHMIR   | JAMMU & KASHMIR                                                                                                                                                               | JAMMU & KASHMIR   | JAMMU & KASHMIR   | JAMMU & KASHMIR   |
| 1                 | 2011-12           | Creation of Tourism infrastructure for day camping Eco-Tourism and pilgrim tourism at park gatha, Khanitop, Seoj, Padri and pilgrim destination at Bhaderwah in J&K           | 466.57            | 373.25            | 233.28            |
| 2                 | 2012-13           | Eco friendly development of Shutkadi Base Camp to Vishansat (High Altitude Himalayan Lake) by Sonamarg Development Authority                                                  | 406.37            | 325.09            | 203.20            |
| KARNATAKA         | KARNATAKA         | KARNATAKA                                                                                                                                                                     | KARNATAKA         | KARNATAKA         | KARNATAKA         |
| 1                 | 2010-11           | Development of Eco- Tourism Resort at Khanapur, Forest, Belgaum District in Karnataka                                                                                         | 440.32            | 440.32            | 440.32            |
| 2                 |                   | Pilikula Nisargsdhama Eco Tourism Resort in Karnataka                                                                                                                         | 419.65            | 419.65            | 419.65            |

| 3           | 2013-14     | Development of eco- tourism in the Northern Circuit (Bhadra Phase-II)                                       | 500.00      | 100.00      | 0.00        |
|-------------|-------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|
| 4           | 2013-14     | Development of eco- tourism resort at Apsarakonds in Honnavar Taluk, Uttara Kannada district                | 500.00      | 100.00      | 0.00        |
| KERALA      | KERALA      | KERALA                                                                                                      | KERALA      | KERALA      | KERALA      |
| 1           | 2013-14     | Development of Eco- camping circuits and caravan parks in Kerala                                            | 593.06      | 5.00        | 5.00        |
| MAHARASHTRA | MAHARASHTRA | MAHARASHTRA                                                                                                 | MAHARASHTRA | MAHARASHTRA | MAHARASHTRA |
| 1           | 2013-14     | Development of Dhapewada/Paradsinga as Eco-Tourism and pilgrimage centre at Dhapewada, District Nagpur      | 780.17      | 624.13      | 156.03      |
| 2           | 2013-14     | Development of Bhandara- Gondia-Nagpur Eco Tourism as Mega Circuit                                          | 4532.66     | 906.53      | 0.00        |
| MANIPUR     | MANIPUR     | MANIPUR                                                                                                     | MANIPUR     | MANIPUR     | MANIPUR     |
| 1           | 2010-11     | Eco-Tourism complex at Thangal Senapati District in Manipur                                                 | 310.85      | 248.68      | 248.68      |
| 2           | 2012-13     | Ningthem Pukhri Imphal- Eco-Tourism complex, Imphal East distt.                                             | 413.52      | 82.70       | 44.70       |
| 3           | 2013-14     | Integrated Tourist Destination of Eco-Tourism Complex at Mata Mualtam Hyde out Park, Churachandpur district | 489.17      | 97.83       | 97.83       |
| MIZORAM     | MIZORAM     | MIZORAM                                                                                                     | MIZORAM     | MIZORAM     | MIZORAM     |
| 1           | 2013-14     | Development of Theme Park and Eco-Tourism at Lungleng Mizoram                                               | 800.00      | 160.00      | 0.00        |
| 2           | 2014-15     | Integrated Development of Eco-Tourism Mega Circuit at Thenzawl District Serchhip, Mizoram.                  | 4829.69     | 241.48      | 0.00        |
| NAGALAND    | NAGALAND    | NAGALAND                                                                                                    | NAGALAND    | NAGALAND    | NAGALAND    |
| 1           | 2010-11     | Integrated tourist destination of Eco and adventure cultural hub at Akito in Nagaland                       | 434.70      | 347.76      | 360.80*     |
| 2           | 2010-11     | Integrated tourist Eco- adventure & cultural circuit Changtongya-Mingkong- Noksen-Tobu-Shatuya in Nagalnad  | 784.70      | 784.70      | 784.70      |

| 3             |               | Integrated tourist destination Eco adventure cultural hub Chizami in Nagaland   | 500.00                                                                                                                   | 500.00        | 500.00        | 500.00        |
|---------------|---------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|
| 4             | 2013-14       | Eco- Adventure and Culture Destination at Kuhuboto, Nagaland                    | 500.00                                                                                                                   | 500.00        | 100.00        | 331.63 *      |
| RAJASTHAN     | RAJASTHAN     | RAJASTHAN                                                                       | RAJASTHAN                                                                                                                | RAJASTHAN     | RAJASTHAN     | RAJASTHAN     |
| 1             | 2010-11 CFA   | 2010-11 CFA                                                                     | for infrastructure development of Eco-Tourism destination Kumbhalgarh- Todgarh-Raoli Rankpur as tourist destination      | 594.55        | 475.64        | 475.64        |
| TELANGANA     | TELANGANA     | TELANGANA                                                                       | TELANGANA                                                                                                                | TELANGANA     | TELANGANA     | TELANGANA     |
| 1             | 2013-14       | 2013-14                                                                         | Development of Eco-Tourism Project at Alisagar, Nizamabad District                                                       | 383.27        | 76.65         | 78.00*        |
| 2             | 2014-15       | 2014-15                                                                         | Development of Durgam Cheruvu Area along with other Down Stream Lakes as Eco Tourism Destination in Hyderabad, Telangana | 454.36        | 90.87         | 0.00          |
| UTTAR PRADESH | UTTAR PRADESH | UTTAR PRADESH                                                                   | UTTAR PRADESH                                                                                                            | UTTAR PRADESH | UTTAR PRADESH | UTTAR PRADESH |
| 1             | 2011-12       | 2011-12                                                                         | Eco-Tourism at Shahpur, Sultanpur in UP                                                                                  | 226.65        | 181.32        | 181.32        |
| UTTARAKHAND   | UTTARAKHAND   | UTTARAKHAND                                                                     | UTTARAKHAND                                                                                                              | UTTARAKHAND   | UTTARAKHAND   | UTTARAKHAND   |
| 1             | 2010-11       | 2010-11                                                                         | Development of Eco-Tourism on Purola-Netwar-Harkidun Circuit in Uttarakhand                                              | 700.85        | 560.68        | 647.26*       |
| 2             |               |                                                                                 | Development of Eco-Huts at Auli, District Chamoli.                                                                       | 461.62        | 369.29        | 461.62*       |
| 3             |               |                                                                                 | Development of Eco-Tourism at Back Waters of Tehri Lake,                                                                 | 496.74        | 397.39        | 397.39        |
| 4             | 2011-12       | 2011-12                                                                         | Development of Nirmal gangotri Eco-Tourism Mega Circuit at Uttarakashi.                                                  | 5000.00       | 25000.00      | 2500.00       |
| 5             |               |                                                                                 | Development of Eco-Tourism at Sat Tal,                                                                                   | 494.79        | 395.83        | 409.96*       |
| 6             |               |                                                                                 | Development of Eco- Tourism at Almora,                                                                                   | 490.80        | 392.64        | 395.27*       |
| 7             |               |                                                                                 | Development of Eco Tourism at Abbott Mount, District Champawat,                                                          | 495.70        | 395.56        | 396.71*       |
| 8             |               |                                                                                 | Development of Eco-Tourism at Lasdowne                                                                                   | 495.95        | 495.95        | 495.95        |
| 9             | 2012-13       | 2012-13                                                                         | Development of Integrated Eco-Tourism Circuit (Bageshwar-Baijnath- Loharkhet) in District Bageshwar                      | 800.00        | 640.00        | 640.00        |
| 10            | 2013-14       | 2013-14                                                                         | Development of Water Sports and Eco Tourism at Maneri, Uttarkashi                                                        | 498.22        | 99.64         | 299.64*       |

| 11          |             | Development of Eco Tourism around Holy Dargah of Hazrat Alauddin Ali Ahmed Al Sabir (Sabir Kaliyar) near Haridwar                                                  | 798.92      | 639.13      | 179.79      |
|-------------|-------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|
| 12          |             | Development of Kurur-Nand Kesari Van/Wan-Bedni Jheel Heritage & Eco Tourism Circuit- Integrated Circuit Development for Eco & Adventure Tourism, District Chamoli. | 800.00      | 160.00      | 0.00        |
| 13          |             | Development of Nauti- Kansawa- Chandpur- Garhi- Sem Heritage & ECO-Tourism Circuit                                                                                 | 800.00      | 160.00      | 0.00        |
| 14          |             | Development of River Rafting Center, Eco Tourism and Adventure Center at Jaul Jibi, Distt. Pithoragarh                                                             | 499.54      | 99.90       | 0.00        |
| 15          |             | Development of Day Safari Adventure & Eco-Tourism Circuit, Sitabani, Ramnagar                                                                                      | 799.32      | 159.86      | 0.00        |
| 16          |             | Development of Ramnagar- Kosi Eco-Tourism Circuit between Ramnagar and Nainital                                                                                    | 799.05      | 159.81      | 0.00        |
| 17          |             | Development of Dugadda- Sendhikhal-Vatanvasa Eco Tourism Circuit, District Pauri                                                                                   | 799.78      | 159.96      | 0.00        |
| 18          |             | Infrastructure Development at Kausani- Someshwar- Tea Estate as an Eco- Tourism and Tea Tourism Circuit, District Almora                                           | 799.84      | 159.97      | 0.00        |
| 19          |             | Development of River Rafting Center and Eco- Tourism Destination, Tons River Valley, Mori, District Uttarkashi                                                     | 499.02      | 99.80       | 0.00        |
| 20          |             | Development of Eco- Tourism at Back Waters of Tehri Lake                                                                                                           | 498.79      | 99.76       | 105.00 *    |
| WEST BENGAL | WEST BENGAL | WEST BENGAL                                                                                                                                                        | WEST BENGAL | WEST BENGAL | WEST BENGAL |
| 1           | 2010-11     | Destination tourism of Buxaduar (Eco Tourism) in West Bengal.                                                                                                      | 394.00      | 315.20      | 295.78      |
| 2           | 2011-12     | Destination Tourism Project at Sunderbans, 24 Parganas (South)                                                                                                     | 488.53      | 390.82      | 372.21      |

*  The  State  Government  has  submitted  Utilization  Certificate  (UC)  in excess by spending from the State Funds.

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