**Summary:**
The Ministry of Tourism, Cultural Heritage Conservation and Sustainable Tourism has articulated a national strategy for sustainable tourism. While the primary responsibility for the development, promotion, management, and maintenance of tourist sites, including cultural and natural heritage sites, rests with State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, the Ministry of Tourism is actively promoting sustainable tourism through various initiatives. These include the "Travel for LiFE" program, designed to encourage sustainable practices among tourists and tourism businesses, and the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, which focuses on developing sustainable and responsible destinations with a tourist-centric approach. Furthermore, the Ministry supports heritage tourism by providing financial assistance to State Governments, Union Territory Administrations, and Central Agencies under schemes like Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD (National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive), and Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development. These schemes aim to develop tourism-related infrastructure and facilities to enhance the visitor experience. This information was provided by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. Contact information: Sunil Kumar Tiwari, tourism4pibatgmaildotcom. Release ID: 2150710.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of rules, regulations and policies relating to the development and promotion of tourism in India.
National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism: A policy document formulated by the Ministry of Tourism to promote sustainable tourism practices in India.
Travel for LiFE: A program initiated by the Ministry of Tourism to encourage sustainable tourism practices among tourists and tourism businesses.
Swadesh Darshan 2.0: A scheme of the Ministry of Tourism with the objective of developing sustainable and responsible tourist destinations.
National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive PRASHAD: A scheme promoting heritage tourism by providing financial assistance for tourism infrastructure development.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: Union Minister for Tourism and Culture.
Rajya Sabha: The Upper House of the Parliament of India, where the information was presented.
Delhi: Location of Press Information Bureau (PIB), where the information was posted
Ministry of Tourism
Cultural Heritage Conservation and Sustainable
Tourism
Posted On: 31 JUL 2025 4:13PM by PIB Delhi
The development, promotion, management and maintenance of tourist sites, including cultural and natural
heritage sites, is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations.
Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism and initiated Travel
for LiFE programme to promote sustainable tourism in the country and to encourage the tourists
and tourism businesses to adopt sustainable tourism practices.
The Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme of the Ministry has been initiated with the objective of
developing sustainable and responsible destinations following a tourist & destination centric
approach.
The Ministry is also promoting heritage tourism by providing financial assistance to State
Governments/Union Territory Administrations/Central Agencies under the ‘Swadesh Darshan’,
‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive
(PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development’
Schemes for the development of tourism related infrastructure and facilities to provide an enriching
tourism experience to the visitors.
This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh
Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
****
Sunil Kumar Tiwari
tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com
(Release ID: 2150710)