Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Tourism is undertaking initiatives to promote ecotourism and temple tourism in Telangana through various schemes, complementing the efforts of the State Government/UT Administration. Projects are sanctioned under schemes like PRASHAD, Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0, and Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD). Additional projects are sanctioned under the 'Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2024-25' (SASCI).
Key Points / Main Content:
Financial Assistance and Schemes:
* The Ministry of Tourism supports States/UTs in developing tourism products, including ecotourism and temple tourism, through schemes like PRASHAD, Swadesh Darshan, revamped Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and CBDD.
* Two projects were sanctioned under SASCI: Ramappa Region Sustainable Tourism Circuit (Rs.73.74 Crore) and Somasilla Wellness Spiritual Retreat (Rs.68.10 Crore).
* Financial assistance is extended based on guidelines, fulfillment of conditions, and fund availability.
Promotional Activities:
* The Ministry promotes tourism destinations and products, including ecotourism and temple tourism in Telangana, through events, website, social media, fairs, and festivals.
Religious Projects in Telangana (Under Various Schemes):
* PRASHAD (2020-21): Development of Jogulamba Devi Temple, Alampur (Rs.38.90 Crore, Physically Completed).
* PRASHAD (2022-23): Development at Rudreshwara Ramappa Temple, Mulugu (Rs.62.00 Crore, Ongoing).
* PRASHAD (2022-23): Development at Bhadrachalam, Bhadradri, Kothagudem District (Rs.41.38 Crore, Ongoing).
* PRASHAD (2024-25): Development at Goddess Renuka Yellamma Devasthanam, Balkampet, Hyderabad (Rs.4.22 Crore, Ongoing).
* CBDD (2024-25): Digital Experience Centre at Bhuddhavanam, Nalgonda (Rs.24.84 Crore, Ongoing).
Eco-Tourism Projects in Telangana (Under Various Schemes):
* Swadesh Darshan (2015-16): Development of Eco-Tourism Circuit in Mahaboobnagar district (Rs.91.62 Crore, Physically Completed).
* SD 2.0 (2024-25): Destination Ananthagiri Experience: Eco-tourism zone at Ananthagiri forest (Rs.38.00 Crore, Ongoing).
* CBDD (2024-25): Development of Eco-Tourism Project at Nizam Sagar, Kamareddy (Rs.9.97 Crore, Ongoing).
Impact Analysis:
State Government/UT Administration:
* Impact: Responsible for the development and promotion of tourist destinations, with the Ministry complementing their efforts.
* Action Required: To submit proposals for financial assistance for tourism projects, adhering to prescribed guidelines.
Ministry of Tourism:
* Impact: Responsible for supporting and promoting tourism products through various schemes and promotional activities.
* Action Required: To examine proposals from State Governments/UT Administrations and extend financial assistance based on stipulated conditions and fund availability.
Telangana Tourism Sector:
* Impact: Benefits from infrastructure development projects enhancing ecotourism and temple tourism, leading to potential economic growth and increased visitor numbers.
* Action Required: Monitor the progress of sanctioned projects and ensure their effective implementation.
Key Entities Referenced
Telangana: A state in India, the focus of the tourism development initiatives discussed in the document.
Swadesh Darshan: A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, to develop tourism circuits in India. Includes revamped version Swadesh Darshan 2.0
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive PRASHAD: A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, focused on developing pilgrimage and heritage tourism destinations.
SHRI BALRAM NAIK PORIKA: Member of Parliament who raised the question regarding the development of ecotourism and temple tourism in Telangana.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Tourism who answered the question in the Lok Sabha.
Ramappa Region Sustainable Tourism Circuit in Ramappa: A spiritual tourism project in Telangana sanctioned under the 'Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2024-25' (SASCI).
Somasilla Wellness Spiritual Retreat in Nallamala: A spiritual tourism project in Nallamala, Telangana, sanctioned under the 'Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2024-25' (SASCI).
Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2024-25 (SASCI): A scheme under which the Government of India provides financial assistance to states for capital investment projects, including tourism.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO.*359
ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025
DEVELOPMENT OF ECO-TOURISM AND TEMPLE TOURISM IN TELANGANA
*359. SHRI BALRAM NAIK PORIKA:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the initiatives taken by the Government to promote eco-
tourism and temple tourism in Telangana along with specific
programmes, fund allocations and infrastructure development
projects;
(b) whether any tourism circuits in Telangana have been identified or
developed under the Swadesh Darshan/Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and
Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) schemes to
promote eco-tourism and temple tourism;
(c) if so, the details thereof along with their locations, key attractions
and current status of development; and
(d) the details of additional measures planned to enhance eco-tourism
and temple tourism in Telangana?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
********STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED
QUESTION NO.*359 ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025 REGARDING
DEVELOPMENT OF ECO-TOURISM AND TEMPLE TOURISM IN TELANGANA
RAISED BY SHRI BALRAM NAIK PORIKA
(a) to (d): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and
products, including eco-tourism and temple tourism is undertaken by the
respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. The
Ministry complements the efforts of States/UTs by developing and
promoting various tourism products of the country through various
schemes and initiatives, including the State of Telangana.
The Ministry of Tourism through its ongoing schemes of ‘Pilgrimage
Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’, and
Swadesh Darshan (SD), revamped scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and
Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) have sanctioned various
infrastructure development projects in Telangana for enhancing eco-
tourism and temple tourism, the details of which are given in the Annexure.
In addition, Government of India has sanctioned 2 projects to promote
spiritual tourism namely ‘Ramappa Region Sustainable Tourism Circuit in
Ramappa’ for Rs.73.74 Crore and ‘Somasilla Wellness & Spiritual Retreat in
Nallamala’ for Rs.68.10 Crore in State of Telangana under the 'Scheme for
Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2024-25' (SASCI).
Receiving proposals from the State Governments/UT Administrations for
financial assistance for tourism projects is a continuous process. The
proposals received are examined with reference to the prescribedguidelines and financial assistance is extended for such projects subject to
fulfilment of the stipulated conditions and availability of funds.
Also, the Ministry of Tourism as part of its ongoing endeavour promotes
various tourism destinations and products of the country including Eco-
Tourism and Temple Tourism in Telangana through promotional activities
such as events, website, social media promotions, fairs and festivals, etc.
********ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED
QUESTION NO.*359 ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT
OF ECO-TOURISM AND TEMPLE TOURISM IN TELANGANA RAISED BY SHRI
BALRAM NAIK PORIKA
List of Religious Projects under various schemes in Telangana
S. Scheme Sanction Name of the Sanctioned Released Status
No. Year Project amount amount
(Rs. in (Rs. in
Crore) Crore)
1 PRASHAD 2020-21 Development of 38.90 33.07 Physically
Jogulamba Devi Completed
Temple, Alampur
2 2022-23 Development of 62.00 32.73 Ongoing
Pilgrimage and
Heritage
Tourism
Infrastructure at
Rudreshwara
(Ramappa)
Temple, Mulugu
3 2022-23 Development of 41.38 8.43 Ongoing
Pilgrimage
Infrastructure at
Bhadrachalam,
Bhadradri,
Kothagudem
District
4 2024-25 Development at 4.22 0 Ongoing
Goddess Renuka
Yellamma
Devasthanam,
Balkampet,
Hyderabad
5 CBDD 2024-25 Digital 24.84 2.48 Ongoing
Experience
Centre at
Bhuddhavanam
in Nalgonda
Total 171.34 76.71List of Eco-Tourism projects under various Schemes in Telangana:
(Rs. in Crore)
Sr. Scheme Sanction Name of the Amount Amount Status
No. Year Project Sanctioned Released
1 Swadesh Development of 91.62 91.25 Physically
Darshan 2015-16 Eco Tourism Completed
(SD) Circuit in
Mahaboobnagar
district
2. SD 2.0 2024-25 Destination- 38.00 3.80 Ongoing
Ananathagiri
Name of
Experience: Eco
tourism zone at
Ananathgiri
forest
3. CBDD 2024-25 Development of 9.97 0.99 Ongoing
Eco-Tourism
Proiect at
Nizam Sagar,
Kamareddy
Total 139.59 96.04
********