Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Tourism addressed a question in Lok Sabha regarding the development of Gujar Taal and Dhasura Taal in Jaunpur. While the Ministry supports tourism development through various schemes and provides financial assistance to State Governments/UTs, it clarified that no specific proposal for the mentioned sites is currently under consideration. The response also includes an annexure listing projects sanctioned in Uttar Pradesh under various schemes.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Government Response:**
* The development and promotion of tourist destinations is the responsibility of the respective State Government/Union Territory Administration.
* The Ministry of Tourism complements state efforts through schemes like Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD, and Assistance to Central Agencies.
* Financial assistance is extended to State Governments/UTs/Central Agencies for tourism infrastructure development, including in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, based on proposals received and fulfillment of guidelines.
* Currently, there is no proposal under consideration to conserve, beautify, and develop Gujar Taal and Dhasura Taal as tourism places.
* Receiving proposals from State Governments/UT Administrations for financial assistance for tourism projects is a continuous process.
* **Ongoing Schemes & Sanctioned Projects in Uttar Pradesh:**
* PRASHAD Scheme: Lists six sanctioned projects with amounts, including development in Varanasi and Mathura-Vrindavan.
* Swadesh Darshan Scheme: Lists eight sanctioned projects with amounts, including Buddhist, Ramayana, and Spiritual circuits. Projects span multiple years from 2016-17 to 2018-19.
* Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme: Lists two sanctioned projects with amounts, including Prayagraj and Naimisaranya experiences.
* Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD): Lists one sanctioned project with amount, development of cultural landscape at Mahoba.
* Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI): Lists two sanctioned projects with amounts, including development of Bateshwar in Agra and integrated Buddhist tourism development in Shrawasti.
* Assistance to Central Agencies: Lists two sanctioned projects with amounts, including illumination of monuments in Varanasi.
* Railway Projects under Assistance to Central Agencies: Lists two sanctioned projects with amounts, including RaiBareilly and Agra Cantt. Railway Stations.
Impact Analysis:
* State Government of Uttar Pradesh:
* Impact: Responsible for initiating and proposing projects for tourism development, including potential projects for Gujar Taal and Dhasura Taal.
* Action Required: If desired, prepare and submit a proposal for the conservation, beautification, and development of Gujar Taal and Dhasura Taal, adhering to the Ministry's guidelines.
* Ministry of Tourism:
* Impact: Responsible for reviewing proposals from State Governments/UTs and providing financial assistance based on guidelines and fund availability.
* Action Required: Continue to evaluate proposals received from Uttar Pradesh and other states, and provide financial assistance for eligible projects.
* Local Economy and Tourism in Jaunpur:
* Impact: The development of Gujar Taal and Dhasura Taal could potentially boost the local economy and tourism. Current status quo means no immediate development is planned by the Ministry.
* Action Required: Advocate for the inclusion of Gujar Taal and Dhasura Taal in future tourism development plans by the State Government.
* Central Agencies:
* Impact: Opportunity to receive assistance to develop tourism related projects.
* Action Required: Prepare and submit proposal for projects.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and laws relating to the development and promotion of tourism in India.
SHRI BABU SINGH KUSHWAHA: A member of Lok Sabha who raised a question about the development of Gujar Taal and Dhasura Taal.
Gujar Taal: A lake in Jaunpur Lok Sabha Constituency, Uttar Pradesh, identified as a potentially significant tourism spot.
Dhasura Taal: A lake in Jaunpur Lok Sabha Constituency, Uttar Pradesh, identified as a potentially significant tourism spot.
Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh: A city and Lok Sabha constituency in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, where Gujar Taal and Dhasura Taal are located.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme: A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in India.
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive PRASHAD: A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, focused on developing and identifying pilgrimage sites across India for enriching the religious tourism experience.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India where multiple tourism development projects are being undertaken with financial assistance from the Ministry of Tourism.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.+55
ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
DEVLOPMENT OF GUJAR TAAL AND DHASURA TAAL IN JAUNPUR
+55. SHRI BABU SINGH KUSHWAHA:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that Gujar taal and Dhasura
taal in Jaunpur Lok Sabha Constituency are historical, natural
and religious places but still being neglected;
(b) if so, whether the Government is considering to conserve,
beautify and develop Gujar taal and Dhasura taal as tourism
places in order to protect them environmentally and promote
tourism and local economy; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (c): Development and promotion of tourist destinations is
undertaken by the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT)
Administration. The Ministry of Tourism through its ongoing schemes
of ‘Swadesh Darshan’, ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage
Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies
for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ complements the efforts of
the State Governments (SGs)/UT Administrations (UTs) by extending
financial assistance to SGs/UTs/Central Agencies for tourism
infrastructure development including Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh. This
process is undertaken in consultation with State Governments
(SGs)/UT Administrations (UTs).
No proposal to conserve, beautify and develop Gujar taal
and Dhasura taal as tourism places, is under consideration of theMinistry of Tourism. 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 prescribed guidelines and financial
assistance is extended for such projects subject to fulfilment of the
stipulated conditions and availability of funds. However, the Ministry
of Tourism, under its ongoing schemes, has sanctioned various
projects in Uttar Pradesh, which are given in the Annexure.
********ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.+55 ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
REGARDING DEVLOPMENT OF GUJAR TAAL AND DHASURA TAAL IN
JAUNPUR BY SHRI BABU SINGH KUSHWAHA.
List of Project sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme in Uttar Pradesh
(Rs. In Crore)
Sr. Project Name Amount
No. Sanctioned
1 Development of Varanasi – Phase –I 18.73
2 Development of Mathura-Vrindavan as Mega 10.98
Tourist Circuit (Ph-II)
3 River Cruise Tourism in Ganga, Varanasi 9.02
4 Construction of Tourist Facilitation Centre at 9.36
Vrindavan
5 Development of Varanasi – Phase –II 44.60
6 Development of Infrastructure facilities at 37.59
Govardhan
List of Projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in Uttar
Pradesh
(Rs. In Crore)
Sr. Circuit/Year Project Name Amount
No. Sanctioned
1 Buddhist Circuit Development of Srawasti, 87.89
2016-17 Kushinagar, & Kapilwastu
2 Ramayana Circuit Development of Chitrakoot and 69.45
2016-17 Shringverpur
3 Spiritual Circuit Development of Ahar-Aligarh- 71.91
Kasganj-Sarosi (Unnao)-
2016-17 Pratapgarh- Kausambi-Mirzapur-
Gorakhpur-Domariyaganj-Basti-
Barabanki-Azamgarh-Kairana-
Baghpat- Shahjahanpur
4 Spiritual Circuit Development of Bijnor- Meerut- 67.51Kanpur- Kanpur Dehat- Banda-
2016-17 Ghazipur- Salempur- Ghosi- Balia-
Ambedkar Nagar- Aligarh-
Fatehpur- Deoria- Mahoba-
Sonbhadra- Chandauli- Mishrikh-
Bhadohi
5 Heritage Circuit Development of Kalinjar Fort 36.65
(Banda)- MagharDham (SantKabir
2016-17 Nagar)- ChauriChaura, Shaheed
Sthal (Fatehpur)-
MahuarshaheedSthal (Ghosi)-
Shaheed Smarak (Meerut)
6 Ramayana Circuit Development of Ayodhya 127.21
2017-18
7 Spiritual Circuit Development of Jewar-Dadri- 12.03
2018-19 Sikandrabad-Noida-Khurja-Banda
8 Spiritual Circuit Development of Gorakhnath 18.30
2018-19 Temple (Gorakhpur), Devipattan
Temple (Balrampur) and Vatvashni
Temple (Domariyagunj)
List of Projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme in
Uttar Pradesh
(Rs. In Crore)
Sr. Destination Name of the Experience Amount
No. Sanctioned
1 Prayagraj Azad Park and Dekho Prayagraj 14.52
Trail Exp
2 Naimisaranya Vedic- wellness Experience 17.8
List of Projects sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination
Development (CBDD) in Uttar Pradesh
(Rs. In Crore)
Sr. Amount
Name of the Project
No. Sanctioned
1 Development of Cultural Landscape at Mahoba 24.98List of Projects sanctioned under Special Assistance to States for
Capital Investment (SASCI Scheme) in Uttar Pradesh
(Rs. In Crore)
Sr. Project Name Sanctioned
No. Amount
1 Development of Bateshwar in District-Agra 74.05
2 Integrated Buddhist Tourism Development in 80.24
Shrawasti
List of Projects Sanctioned under the Scheme Assistance to Central
Agencies in Uttar Pradesh
(Rs. In Crore)
Sr. Name of the Project Amount
No. Sanctioned
1. Illumination of three monuments in Varanasi, 2.93
Uttar Pradesh-
1. Dashashwamedh Ghat to Darbhanga Ghat
(stretch of 300 m)
2.TulsiManasMandir
3. Sarnath Museum
2. Illumination of monuments in Varanasi/Sarnath 5.12
(Dhamekh Stupa in SarnathChaukhandi Stupa in
Sarnath, Tomb of Lalkan in Sarnath and Man
Mahal in Banaras).
List of Railway Project under the Scheme Assistance to Central
Agencies in Uttar Pradesh
(Rs. In Crore)
Sr. Name of the Project Amount Sanctioned
No.
1 Rai-Bareilly Railway Station 4.44
2 Agra Cantt. Railway Station 5.05
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