Parliament Question: Development of Tourism in the North-Eastern Region

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*308 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN THE NORTH-EASTERN REGION *308 SHRI KAMAKHYA PRASAD TASA: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that the North-Eastern Region (NER) has high tourism potential due to its natural beauty, cultural diversity and heritage sites; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has implemented any new schemes or plans to attract domestic and international tourists in the NER; (d) if so, the details thereof including the initiatives undertaken under various Central Schemes; (e) whether the Government has any proposed plan to ensure cleanliness at tourist destinations, provide seamless travel across North-Eastern States and develop basic infrastructure with modern amenities in the region; and (f) if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. ******STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (F) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*308 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN THE NORTH-EASTERN REGION RAISED BY SHRI KAMAKHYA PRASAD TASA (a) to (b): Yes. The State wise Tourist Footfall annexed at ANNEXURE-I. (c) to (f): Ministry of Tourism as part of its ongoing endeavour, promotes various tourism destinations and products of India including the states of North Eastern region in a holistic manner, through various initiatives including promotional events, assistance to State Governments/UT Administrations for organising fairs and festivals, participation in exhibitions, websites, social media etc. The Ministry of Tourism has been organizing International Tourism Mart (ITM) in the North Eastern Region since 2013. The ITM is an annual event designed to highlight the tourism potential of the North Eastern region for both domestic and international audiences. This event serves as a vital platform, bringing together tourism businesses and entrepreneurs from the eight North Eastern States—Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim— to foster collaboration and interactions among buyers, sellers, media, government agencies, and other stakeholders. The latest ITM was held at Gangtok, Sikkim, from 13-16 November 2025. In addition to this the followings steps including the initiatives under various central schemes as under: (i) Incredible India Digital Platform-The Ministry of Tourism revamped the Incredible India website as IIDP in September 2024 to engage the visitors across web and social media platforms. The content on the Incredible India Website is available in Hindi, English and UN languages.The website features tourism destination in the North East States to promote tourism in NER. (ii) The Ministry of Tourism promotes various tourism sites and products in North East Region in the domestic and international markets. Creative posts, Live sessions, Tweets etc., on North East destinations are posted on regular basis on the social media handles of the Ministry of Tourism. In addition, the Ministry of Tourism also produces promotional material showcasing the tourist destinations and products in North Eastern States. (iii) Central Financial Assistance (CFA) support for organizing fairs & festivals- Ministry of Tourism provides financial assistance to State Governments/UT Administrations for organising fairs / festivals and Tourism related events under the DPPH scheme. The list of North East States to which the financial support for organizing fairs and festivals has been extended is at Annexure-II. (iv) Ministry of Tourism under the schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan’, ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’, ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ provides financial assistance to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations/Central Agencies, Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI Scheme), Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) for the development of tourism related infrastructure and facilities at various tourism destinations in the country including North Eastern Region. The Ministry of Tourism has now revamped the Swadesh Darshan Scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0) with the objective to develop sustainableand responsible tourism destinations, following a destination & tourism centric approach. The details of projects sanctioned under the above- mentioned schemes in North Eastern region are given at Annexure-III. Ministry of Tourism implements the Swachhta Action Plan (SAP) in coordination with the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti. Under SAP, the Ministry conducts cleanliness- awareness programmes, including in the North Eastern States. During 2025–26, 200 SAP activities were organized through IITTM, Central IHMs, State IHMs and FCIs under the following categories of (i) Tourist Awareness (ii) Students Awareness (iii) Stakeholders Awareness. Additionally, as directed by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the Ministry of Tourism observes Swachhta Pakhwada and Swachhta Hi Sewa (SHS) every year in September and October. In 2025, 277 activities under Swachhta Pakhwada and 244 activities under SHS were carried out across India, including the North Eastern Region. For effective air connectivity at PAN Indian basis including the States of NER, the Ministry of Civil Aviation launched the RCS-UDAN scheme to make regional air travel affordable, and the Ministry of Tourism has collaborated with it by extending Viability Gap Funding under the Champion Service Sector Scheme to improve air links to key tourist locations, including in the North Eastern Region. Under this initiative, the following NER routes have been included as Tourism RCS routes: Dibrugarh–Dimapur, Dimapur–Dibrugarh, Dimapur–Imphal, Imphal–Dimapur, Agartala–Aizawl, Aizawl–Agartala, Dibrugarh–Imphal, Imphal–Dibrugarh, Hollongi–Guwahati and Guwahati–Hollongi. ******ANNEXURE-I STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (B) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*308 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN THE NORTH-EASTERN REGION RAISED BY SHRI KAMAKHYA PRASAD TASA Tourist Footfall in North-Eastern Region (NER) in 2025 S. No. Name of State Domestic Foreign Tourist Visits Tourist Visits (DTVs) (FTVs) 1 Arunachal Pradesh 913383 4582 2 Assam 9055943 33858 3 Manipur 25281 2892 4 Meghalaya 1848239 7116 5 Mizoram 828223 11484 6 Nagaland 127428 5425 7 Sikkim 1654838 68992 8 Tripura 681103 27320 Tourist Footfall in NER for January-June, 2026 S. No. Name of State DTVs FTVs 1 Arunachal Pradesh 627084 2372 2 Assam 4604112 32471 3 Manipur 12744 1219 4 Meghalaya* 515320 2516 5 Mizoram 494362 7389 6 Nagaland 27305 1131 7 Sikkim 2352725 43734 8 Tripura 384453 9424 Source: State Tourism Department *Data received from State of Meghalaya for January to March 2026ANNEXURE-II STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (C) TO (F) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*308 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN THE NORTH-EASTERN REGION RAISED BY SHRI KAMAKHYA PRASAD TASA State wise list of fairs and festivals for which CFA was extended under DPPH Scheme (in ₹ Lakh) Name of Year Name of Fairs & Festivals Amount state sanctioned Assam 2016-17 (i) Rass Mahotsav, Majuli 35.00 (ii) Bodo National Festival (iii) Rongali Festival 2018-19 International Buddhist 25.00 conference Rongali festival 25.00 2021-22 Bhogali Festival 25.00 Rongoli festivals 25.00 Arunachal 2014-15 Nyokum Festival 14.00 Pradesh 2015-16 (i) Kameng River Eco-Tourism 30.00 Festival (ii) Menchuka Adventure Festival and (iii) Orange Festival Dambuk 2017-18 (i) Tawang 40.00 Festival(ii)Menchuka Adventure Festival (iii) Orange Festival Dambuk 2018-19 Basar Confluence 3.0 Festival 20.00 2019-20 River Tribe’s Angling Festival 25.00 Butterfly Meet at MIAO 25.00 2020-21 Pedal to Pakke 25.00 2021-22 Easterly Essence Ledum 25.00 Festival Orange Festival of Music and 25.00 Adventure 2022-23 Si Donyi Festival 25.00 Orange Festival 25.00 2024-25 Aroma of Arunachal Festival 50.002025-26 Eco Harmony 30.00 Fest of Arunachal 50.00 Manipur 2014-15 Manipuri Festival and Youth, 50.00 Adventure& Water sports festival 2015-16 Manipur Sangai Festival and 50.00 Youth, Adventure and Water Sports Festival Manipur 2015 2016-17 Manipur Sangai Festival, and 50.00 Youth Adventure and Water Adventure sports festival 2017-18 Manipur Sangai Festival and 50.00 “Youth Adventure & Water Sports Festival 2019-20 Sangai Festival 25.00 Youth Adventure & Water 25.00 Sports festival Meghalaya 2016-17 Wangala Dance Festival and 42.22 Nongkrem Dance Festival 2017-18 Wangala Dance Festival, 50.00 Nongkrem Dance Festival and Lasubon Festival 2018-19 Wangala Dance Festival and 50.00 Nongkrem Dance Festival 2019-20 Wangala Dance 25.00 Nongkrem Dance Festival 25.00 2021-22 Wangala Dance 25.00 Nongkrem Dance Festival 25.00 2022-23 Wangala Dance 25.00 Nongkrem Dance Festival 25.00 2023-24 Nongkrem Dance Festival 25.00 2024-25 The 100 Drums Wangala Dance 25.00 Festival 2024 The Nongkrem Dance Festival 16.00 2024 2025-26 100 Drums Wangala Dance 40.00 Festival Nongkrem Dance Festival 40.00 Mizoram 2014-15 Anthurium Festival, 25.00 Thalfavang Kut festival 25.002015-16 Anthurium Festival 25.00 ThalfavangKut Festival 25.00 2017-18 Winter Festival 25.00 Chapchar Kut 25.00 2018-19 Chapchar Kut Festival 25.00 2019-20 Anthurium Festival 25.00 Winter Festival 25.00 2020-21 Anthurium Festival 25.00 Winter Festival 25.00 2021-22 Anthurium Festival 25.00 Winter Festival 25.00 2022-23 Anthurium Festival 25.00 Winter Festival 25.00 2024-25 Winter Festival 2024 25.00 Leitlanpui Music Festival 2024 25.00 2025-26 Mizoram Travel Fest 30.00 Leitlanpui Music Festival 25.00 Winter Festival 25.00 Nagaland 2014-15 Hornbil Festival, 2014 25.00 2016-17 Hornbill Festival 25.00 2017-18 Sekrenyi Festival, Hornbill 50.00 Festival, Rengma’s Ngadah Festival 2019-20 Hornbill Festival 25.00 Thuwu-Ni Festival 10.00 Sukhrunye Festival 15.00 2021-22 Hornbill Festival 20.00 The Angami’s Sekrenyi Festival 10.00 2022-23 Ahuna Festival 5.00 Runa Festival 5.00 Sekrenyi Festival 5.00 Autumn Festival at Nagaland 5.00 House Kolkata Autumn Festival at Nagaland 5.00 House New Delhi Hornbill Festival 25.00 2023-24 Autumn Festival at Nagaland 10.00 House, New Delhi Cuisine and Music Festival at 25.00 Naga Heritage Village, Kisama2024-25 Autumn Festival at Nagaland 30.00 House Traditional Food & Folk Music 25.00 Festival at Dimapur Cultural Fair at Tzurang Valley, 25.00 Mokuchung District 2025-26 Autumn Fest 25.00 Naga Wrestling 25.00 Cultural Folk and Music festival 30.00 Sikkim 2015-16 World Tourism Day, Gangtok 44.00 Sikkim Winter Carnival, Gangtok, 2016-17 World Tourism Day, Gangtok 25.00 Red Panda Winter 25.00 Festival, Gangtok 2017-18 World Tourism Day, Gangtok 25.00 Red Panda Winter festival, 25.00 Gangtok 2018-19 World Tourism Day 25.00 Red Panda Festival, Gangtok 25.00 2019-20 World Tourism Day, Gangtok 25.00 Red Panda Winter Festival 25.00 2020-21 Red Panda Winter Carnival 25.00 Jorethang Maghey Mela 12.50 Pelling Winter Tourism Festival 12.50 2021-22 Cherry Temi Tea & Tourism 12.50 Festival Temi Tea Gardens South Sikkim Khangchendzonga Winter 12.50 Carnival Festival Jorethang Maghey Mela 25.00 2025-26 Lampokhri Festival 20.00 Tripura 2016-17 Neermahal Festival at Rajghat, 18.00 Melaghar in Sepahijala District Devali Festival at Maabari, Udaipur in Gomati District Pilak Festival at Julaibari Santirbazar in South Tripura 2019-20 Kharchi Mela 25.00Neermahal Festival 2.00 Diwali Mela 15.00 2020-21 Bharat Bangla Festival 25.00 2022-23 Neermahal Festival 10.00 Diwali Festival 5.00 Chabimura Festival 5.00 2023-24 Neermahal Festival 9.80 Diwali Festival 9.55 Chabimura Festival 3.00 2024-25 Diwali Festival 20.00 Chabimura & Tirthamukh 12.00 Festival Ashokastami Festival 5.00 Chapchar Kut Festival 5.00 2025-26 Neermahal Festival 30.00 Diwali Festival 30.00 Chabimura & Tirthamukh 20.00 Festival ******ANNEXURE-III STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (C) TO (F) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*308 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN THE NORTH-EASTERN REGION RAISED BY SHRI KAMAKHYA PRASAD TASA List of sanctioned projects under Swadesh Darshan S. State/UT Circuit/ Name of the Project Amount No. Sanction Sanctioned Year (in ₹ Crore) 1. Arunachal North- Development of Bhalukpong- 49.77 Pradesh East Bomdila and Tawang 2014-15 2. Arunachal North- Development of Nafra-Seppa- 96.72 Pradesh East Pappu, Pasa, Pakke Valleys- 2015-16 Sangdupota- New Sagalee- Ziro- Yomcha 3. Assam Wildlife Development of Manas– 94.68 2015-16 Probitora– Nameri– Kaziranga– Dibru–Saikhowa 4. Assam Heritage Development of Tezpur – 90.98 2016-17 Majuli – Sibsagar 5. Manipur North- Development of Tourist 72.23 East Circuit in Manipur: Imphal- 2015-16 Khongjom 6. Manipur Spiritual Development of Shri 45.34 2016-17 Govindajee Temple, Shri Bijoy Govindajee Temple – Shri Gopinath Temple – Shri Bungshibodon Temple – Shri Kaina Temple 7. Meghalaya North- Development of Umium (Lake East View), U Lum 99.13 2016-17 Sohpetbneng-Mawdiangdiang – Orchid Lake Resort8. Meghalaya North- Development of West Khasi 84.97 East Hills (Nongkhlaw-KremTirot – 2018-19 Khudoi & Kohmang Falls – Khri River- Mawthadraishan, Shillong), Jaintia Hills (Krang Suri Falls-Shyrmang- Iooksi), Garo Hills (Nokrek Reserve, Katta Beel, Siju Caves) 9. Mizoram North- Development of Thenzawl & 92.26 East South Zote, District Serchhip 2015-16 and Reiek. 10. M izoram Eco Development of Eco 66.37 2016-17 Adventure Circuit Aizawl- Rawpuichhip– Khawhphawp – Lengpui – Chatlang- Sakawrhmuituaitlang -Muthee–Beratlawng– Tuirial Airfield – Hmuifang 11. N agaland Tribal Development of Tribal Circuit 97.36 2015-16 Peren- Kohima-Wokha 12. N agaland Tribal Development of Mokokchung - 98.14 2016-17 Tuensang-Mon 13. Sikkim North- Development of Tourist 98.05 East Circuit linking Rangpo 2015-16 (entry)–Rorathang-Aritar- Phadamchen-Nathang- Sherathang-Tsongmo- Gangtok-Phodong-Mangan- Lachung Yumthang-Lachen- Thangu Gurudongmer- Mangan-Gangtok-Tumin Lingee- Singtam (exit) 14. Sikkim North- Development of Tourist 95.32 East Circuit Linking Singtam– 2016-17 Maka- Temi- BermoikTokel- Phongia-Namchi –Jorthang- Okharey- Sombaria- Daramdin- Jorethang-Melli (Exit)15. Tripura North- Development of Agartala – East Sipahijala– Melaghar Udaipur- 82.85 2015-16 Amarpur- Tirthamukh- Mandirghat– Dumboor-Narikel Kunja- Gandachara– Ambassa 16. Tripura North- Development of Surma East Cherra- Unakoti-Jampui Hills- 44.83 2018-19 Gunabati -Bhunaneshwari- Neermahal- Boxanagar- Chottakhola- Pilak- Avangchaarra List of sanctioned projects under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 S. State Destination Name of the Sanction Sanctioned No. Experience Date Cost (in ₹ Crore) 1 Arunachal Mechuka Mechuka 12.75 05.03.2024 Pradesh Adventure Park 2 Arunachal Mechuka Mechuka 18.48 05.03.2024 Pradesh Cultural Haat 3 Arunachal Nacho Unlock Nacho 14.02 05.03.2024 Pradesh Expedition 4 Assam Kokrajhar Kokrajhar 26.68 Wetland 05.03.2024 Experience 5 Assam Jorhat Reimagining 23.88 Cinnamara Tea 05.03.2024 Estate 6 Meghalaya Sohra Waterfall Trails 27.61 05.03.2024 Experience 7 Meghalaya Sohra Meghalayan 32.45 Age Cave 04.03.2024 Experience 8 Mizoram Champhai Eco Resort 38.85 Experience at Keilungliah, 29.03.2025 Zote, Ngur & Mualbuhvum, Champhai 9 Mizoram Champhai Heritage and 33.87 29.03.2025Cultural Centre, Champhai 10 Mizoram Aizawl Construction of 99.71 Conference 10.11.2025 Centre 11 Nagaland Chumoukedima Adventure 32.54 Tourism Experience at 29.03.2025 Jacob Village,Chumou kediema 12 Nagaland Chumoukedima Eco-Tourism 7.87 Exp at 20.08.2024 Chumoukedima viewpoint 13 Nagaland Chumoukedima Tribal Cultural 21.57 Experience at 05.03.2024 Midway Retreat 14 Sikkim Gyalshing Eco-Wellness 15.41 Experience at 05.03.2024 Yuksom Cluster 15 Sikkim Gangtok Gangtok 22.60 29.02.2024 Cultural Village 16 Tripura Agartala Tripura 48.95 Heritage Village & Sangeet 29.03.2025 Experience at Agartala (Phase-1 &2) List of sanctioned projects under CBDD S. State Destination Name of the Sanction Sanctioned No. / Category Experience Date Cost (in ₹ Crore) 1 Arunachal Kibitho Kibhito Frontier 27.03.2025 4.96 Pradesh (Vibrant Tourism - Village Gateway toProgramme) Serenity 2 Arunachal Bichom Bichom Dam 27.03.2025 9.90 Pradesh Dam Site Adventure & (Ecotouris Eco-Tourism m and Project Amrit Dharohar Sites) 3 Assam Sivasagar Panidhing Bird 27.03.2025 9.99 (Ecotouris Sanctuary m and Amrit Dharohar Sites) 4 Manipur Langthabal Development of 17.03.2025 24.69 Konug, Ancient Capital Imphal of Manipur, (Culture & Langthabal Heritage) Konug 5 Meghalaya Nartiang Nartiang 17.03.2025 24.87 Village Spiritual & (Spiritual Cultural Centre Tourism) 6 Meghalaya Mawphlang Mawphlang 17.03.2025 24.87 Village Cultural & (Culture & Heritage Centre Heritage) 7 Nagaland Impur Soulful Trails: 17.03.2025 24.94 Village The Impur (Spiritual Heritage Tourism) Experience 8 Nagaland Doyang Wings Over 17.03.2025 9.99 Reservoir Doyang: An Eco- (Ecotouris Tourism Haven m and Amrit Dharohar Sites) 9 Sikkim Kabi Kabi Chronicles: 17.03.2025 24.96 (Spiritual A journeyTourism) through Unity and Heritage 10 Sikkim Gnathang Echoes of 17.03.2025 5.00 Village Valor:The (Vibrant Gnathang Valley Village Experience Programme) List of sanctioned projects under SASCI as on 08.06.2026 S. State Year of Name of the Project Sanctioned No. Sanction Cost (in ₹ Crore) 1. Arunachal 2024-25 Siang Adventure & Eco- 46.48 Pradesh Retreat in Pasighat 2. Assam 2024-25 Assam State Zoo Cum 97.12 Botanical Garden in Guwahati 3. Assam 2024-25 Beautification of Rang 94.76 Ghar in Sivasagar 4. Manipur 2024-25 Loktak Lake Experience in 89.48 Loktak 5. Meghalaya 2024-25 MICE Infrastructure in 99.27 Mawkhanu 6. Meghalaya 2024-25 Redevelopment of Umiam 99.27 Lake in Shillong 7. Sikkim 2024-25 Skywalk, Bhaleydhunga, 97.37 Yangang in Namchi 8. Sikkim 2024-25 Border Experience in 68.19 Nathula 9. Tripura 2024-25 Shakti Peethas Park at 97.70 Banduar in Gomati List of sanctioned projects under PRASHAD Scheme S. State Sanction Project Name Sanction No. Year Amount (in ₹ Crore) 1 Arunachal 2020-21 Development of Parshuram 37.88 Pradesh Kund, Lohit Distt. 2 Assam 2015-16 Development of Kamakhya 29.80Temple and Pilgrimage Destination in and around Guwahati 3 Meghalaya 2020-21 Development of Pilgrimage 29.29 Facilitation in Meghalaya 4 Mizoram 2022-23 Development of Infrastructure 44.89 for Pilgrimage and Heritage To urism in the State of Mizoram 5 Mizoram 2024-25 Development of Basic 5.47 Amenities under PRASHAD scheme in Vangchhia, Champhai District 6 Nagaland 2018-19 Development of Pilgrimage 25.20 Infrastructure in Nagaland 7 Nagaland 2022-23 Development of Pilgrimage 18.18 Tourism Infrastructure at Zunheboto 8 Sikkim 2020-21 Development of Pilgrimage 33.32 Facilitation at Four Patron Saints, Yuksom 9 Tripura 2020-21 Development of Tripura 34.43 Sundari Temple, Udaipur List of Projects Sanctioned under the Scheme Assistance to Central Agencies (In ₹ Crore) S. Agency Name of Project State Sanction Amount No. Year sanctioned 1 IWAI Development of Assam 2020-2021 28.03 Jetties at 9 mai n points of embarkation/ disembarkation of River Cruiz e on National Water ways No. 1 & 2 2 WAPCOS Development of Mizoram 2020-2021 39.94 Convention Centre andassociated Infrastructure at Aizawl. 3 NHIDCL Development of Nagaland, 2022-2023 44.44 22 viewpoints i Meghalaya n North Eastern , Mizoram, State Arunachal (i) Nagaland (2 Pradesh, view points)- R Manipal s.5.77 Crore. Sikkim/ (ii) Meghalaya ( West 3 view points) – Bengal Rs.6.26 Crore. (iii) Mizoram (9 view points)- R s.12.78 Crore. (iv) Arunachal Pradesh (4 vie w points) – R s.6.25 Crore. (v) Manipur (3 view points)- R s.5.93 Crore. (vi) Sikkim/Wes t Bengal (1 vie w point)- Rs.3 .70 Crore. 4 Joint Kamakhya Assam 2018-2019 4.96 development Railway Station 5 of Guwahati Assam 2018-2019 4.99 tourist Railway Station amenities by the Ministry of Railways (MoR) and Ministry of Tourism (MoT) ******