Lok Sabha Question No. 1373 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-07
Subject: Special Scheme for Sustainable Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: K. C. VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1373 ANSWERED ON 07.12.2015

## SPECIAL SCHEME FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

1373. SHRI K.C. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has initiated any special scheme to ensure  sustainable  tourism  in  the  country  in  the  wake  of growing climate change risks;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has made any analysis on the impact of  global  climate  change  on  the  historical  monuments  and other tourist destinations;
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government has conducted any research on the various  issues  of  sustainable  tourism  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (e): 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 & Rivers sectors during the sensitization  Workshop  on  Sustainable  Tourism  for Stakeholders  organized  in  August  2014.    The  criterion  has  been adopted by the stakeholders.

Further,  the  Ministry  has  guidelines  for  approval  of  Hotel Projects at the  implementation  stage  and  also  guidelines for classification/re-classification  of  operational  hotels  under  various categories.    As  per  these  guidelines,  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  nonChlorofluorocarbon (CFC) equipment for refrigeration and air conditioning,  measures  for  energy  and  water  conservation  etc. Under the guidelines for project level & classification/reclassification of operational hotels, it has been prescribed that the architecture  of  the  hotel  buildings  in  hilly  and  ecologically  fragile areas  should  be  sustainable  and  energy  efficient  and  as  far  as possible be in conformity with the local ethos and make use of local designs and material.

The  tour  operators  approved  by  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. The Ministry of Tourism holds a constant dialogue with State Governments/U.T. Administrations, various tourism related institutions and stakeholders for drawing up strategies for development  and  promotion  of  tourism  in  the  country  including Sustainable Tourism. The Ministry of Tourism supports from time to time  various  seminars  and  events  that  deliberate  or  focus  on tourism in the country including Sustainable Tourism in rural areas.

However, no analysis on the impact of global climate change on the historical monuments and other tourist destinations has been made and no research has been conducted on the various issues of sustainable tourism by the Ministry of Tourism.

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