Parliament Question: Development of Eco-tourism Trails in Chhattisgarh

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1266 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2026 Development of Eco-tourism Trails in Chhattisgarh 1266. SMT. ROOPKUMARI CHOUDHARY: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state (a) whether the Government has formulated any policy for the development of Eco-tourism Trails, if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including Chhattisgarh; (b) the details of Eco-tourism and biodiversity conservation projects sanctioned during the last three years in Barnawapara, Sitanadi and Udanti Wildlife Sanctuaries, Kanger Valley National Park, Indravati Tiger Reserve, Achanakmar Tiger Reserve and Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve, along with the funds released; (c) whether any Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been issued for biodiversity conservation and mitigation of human-wildlife conflict in eco-tourism areas; and (d) the measures taken to promote tribal participation and generate local employment through eco- tourism in Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary, Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh, and whether the Government proposes to further strengthen eco-tourism infrastructure in these protected areas? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued Guidelines for Sustainable Ecotourism in Forest and Wildlife Areas-2021. An indicative list of potential eco-tourism areas has been annexed to the Guidelines which inter-alia includes sites in Chhattisgarh. (b) Ecotourism and biodiversity conservation is primarily the responsibility of the concerned State Government and Union Territory Administrations, and are undertaken in accordance with prescriptions of an approved Management Plan, Tiger Conservation Plan and Working Plan, as applicable. No specific ecotourism project has been sanctioned by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for the State of Chhattisgarh. However, financial assistance is provided to the State under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats for protection, conservation and management of wildlife and development of its habitats. The details of funds released to the State of Chhattisgarh under the aforesaid scheme during last three years is as below: Rs in lakhs 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 409.10 443.57 266.58(c) and (d) The Ministry has released species-specific guidelines on 21.03.2023 for mitigation of Human Wildlife conflicts involving Elephant, Gaur, Leopard, Snake, Crocodile, Rhesus Macaque, Wild Pig, Bear, Blue Bull and Blackbuck taking a Harmonious Coexistence Approach for addressing human-wildlife conflicts. The Ministry has also issued guidelines for crosscutting issues such as cooperation with media, occupational health and safety in human-wildlife conflict mitigation, crowd management and addressing health emergencies arising out of human-wildlife conflict situations. Moreover, Field Manual for Frontline Staff on Human-Elephant Conflict Management has been issued. Further, the National Tiger Conservation Authority hasissued following three SOPs to deal with human-animal conflict, which are available in public domain: i. To deal with emergency arising due to straying of tigers in human dominated landscapes ii. To deal with tiger depredation on livestock iii. For active management towards rehabilitation of tigers from source areas at the landscapelevel. The three SOPs inter alia include the issue of managing dispersing tigers, managing livestock kills so as to reduce conflict as well as relocating tigers from source areas to areas where density of tiger is low, so that conflict in rich source areas does not occur. The National Tiger Conservation Authority has also issued the Normative Standards for Tourism Activities and Project Tiger Guidelines, 2012. These guidelines provide for conservation of ecology; community participation including tribal communities thereby promoting livelihoods and ensuring their stake in such endeavors. As per information provided by the State Government, several measures have been taken to promote tribal participation and generate local employment through eco-tourism. Local youths have been selected as guide for tourists. Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMC) have been involved in trekking, bird watching, boating and running of canteen. Gypsy vehicles have been provided to JFMC from revolving fund for income generation of local people. *****