**Summary:**
The Ministry of Tourism addressed a question in the Lok Sabha on July 21, 2025, regarding the development of the Gosabara-Mokarsagar wetland complex in Porbandar into a sustainable ecotourism destination. While the primary responsibility for tourism development rests with the State Government, the Ministry of Tourism supplements these efforts through financial assistance under various schemes.
In 2024-25, the Ministry issued operational guidelines for the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale (SASCI) scheme. This scheme aims to comprehensively develop iconic tourist centers, brand them effectively, and market them globally. Under the SASCI scheme, the Government of India has sanctioned 40 projects across the country for a total of Rs. 3295.76 Crore. This includes the "Ecotourism Destination at Kerly Mokarsagar" project in Gujarat, which has been allocated Rs. 99.50 Crore.
Projects under the SASCI scheme are selected based on proposals submitted by the respective State Governments, evaluated against prescribed parameters, and aligned with the institutional framework outlined in the scheme guidelines. The concerned State Government is responsible for formulating the Detailed Project Report (DPR), considering all relevant factors, including environmental impact. It is also the State Government's responsibility to secure all necessary clearances, including those related to environment, forest, pollution, Archaeological Survey of India, and other pre-construction requirements, before project implementation. The scheme includes conservation goals that focus on preserving the wetland's biodiversity while promoting tourism. Safeguards to ensure minimal disturbance to migratory and resident bird species are to be addressed in the DPR by the state government, subject to prevailing rules and regulations.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and policies relating to the development and promotion of tourism in India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
GosabaraMokarsagar wetland complex: A wetland complex located in Porbandar, Gujarat, India, identified for potential ecotourism development.
Porbandar, Gujarat: A city and district in the state of Gujarat, India, location of the GosabaraMokarsagar wetland complex.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: The Minister of Tourism in the Indian government.
Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global ScaleSASCI scheme: A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism to develop iconic tourist centers in India and promote them globally.
Kerly Mokarsagar, Gujarat: Location of Ecotourism Destination project sanctioned under SASCI scheme
Archaeological Survey of India: Indian government agency responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the country.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.22
ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
DEVELOPMENT OF GOSABARA-MOKARSAGAR
WETLAND COMPLEX IN PORBANDAR
22. SMT. POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has initiated any plans to develop the
Gosabara-Mokarsagar wetland complex in Porbandar into a
sustainable eco-tourism destination;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the eco-tourism project is aligned with conservation goals,
focusing on preserving the wetland's biodiversity while promoting
tourism; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and safeguards that are in place to ensure
minimal disturbance to migratory and resident bird species?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (d): Development and promotion of Tourism is primarily undertaken
by the concerned State Government. However, the Ministry of Tourism
under its various schemes complements these efforts by providing
financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations for
development of tourism projects.
In the year 2024-25, the Ministry of Tourism issued operational guidelines
for ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment – Development of
Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’(SASCI) scheme with the objective
to comprehensively develop iconic tourist centres in the country, brandingand marketing them at global scale. Under the said scheme the
Government of India has sanctioned 40 projects in the country for
Rs.3295.76 Crore including the project ‘Ecotourism Destination at Kerly
Mokarsagar’ for Rs.99.50 Crore in Gujarat. The projects under SASCI
scheme have been identified based on the project proposals submitted by
the concerned State Governments, its examination on the prescribed
parameters and as per the institutional framework detailed in the scheme
guidelines.
As per the contours of the scheme, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for
the projects is to be formulated by the concerned State Government after
analysing all the relevant factors including environmental. Further, it is the
responsibility of the concerned State to obtain all necessary clearances
which are required as per the prevailing rules and regulations including
those relating to environment, forest & pollution, Archaeological Survey of
India and other pre-construction clearances before the implementation of
the project.
******