Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Tourism addressed a question regarding the development of Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary as a tourism spot. The Ministry clarifies that tourism development is primarily the responsibility of State Governments/UTs, with the Union Government providing financial assistance through various schemes, subject to fund availability, adherence to guidelines, and DPR submission. Uttar Pradesh has not submitted a DPR for the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Tourism Development Responsibility:**
* Development and promotion of tourist destinations primarily undertaken by State Governments/UT Administrations.
* **Ministry of Tourism's Role:**
* The Ministry of Tourism complements State/UT efforts through central sector schemes like Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), PRASHAD, and Assistance to Central Agencies (ACA).
* Financial assistance is extended subject to fund availability, adherence to scheme guidelines, and DPR submission.
* Government of India through SASCI also provides financial assistance to the States for development of tourism projects.
* **Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary:**
* The State Government of Uttar Pradesh has not submitted any DPR for the development of Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary for consideration under any scheme.
* **Projects Sanctioned in Uttar Pradesh:**
* The annexure lists projects sanctioned in Uttar Pradesh under various Ministry of Tourism schemes, including Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, ACA, and SASCI, with specific project names, circuits, sanction amounts, and years.
Impact Analysis:
* **State Government of Uttar Pradesh:**
* Impact: Responsible for initiating and developing tourism projects, including submitting DPRs to the Ministry of Tourism to seek financial assistance.
* Action Required: Prepare and submit a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the development of Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary if seeking financial assistance from the Ministry of Tourism.
* **Ministry of Tourism:**
* Impact: Responsible for providing financial assistance and guidance to State Governments/UTs for tourism development projects, subject to scheme guidelines and fund availability.
* Action Required: Review and consider DPRs submitted by the State Government of Uttar Pradesh for tourism projects, including any potential future submission for Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, based on scheme guidelines and fund availability.
* **Local Population (Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh):**
* Impact: Potential beneficiaries of tourism development, including economic progress and employment opportunities, contingent upon the State Government’s initiative and project approval.
* Action Required: Advocate for the development of Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary with the State Government and support the DPR submission process.
Key Entities Referenced
Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary: A wildlife sanctuary located near the Indo-Nepal border in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India, where several tourism development projects are being undertaken.
Swadesh Darshan: A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism for tourism infrastructure development.
PRASHAD: Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive, a central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism.
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.
Varanasi: A city in Uttar Pradesh, India, where several tourism development projects are underway, including river cruise tourism and illumination of monuments.
Ayodhya: A city in Uttar Pradesh, site of Ram Janmabhoomi, development of tourism circuit sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan scheme.
SASCI: Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment, an initiative by Government of India to provide financial assistance to states for development of tourism projects.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†95
ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM SPOT AT
KATARNIAGHAT WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
†95. DR. ANAND KUMAR:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is considering to develop Katarniaghat
Wildlife Sanctuary near Indo-Nepal border in Bahraich of Uttar
Pradesh and in the foothills of Himalayas as a big tourism spot
keeping in view the bio-diversity and availability of various rare
wildlife species here and opening into nearly 551 square kms, so
that local people can progress economically and new employment
opportunities can also be created; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken so far in this regard?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (b): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and
tourism products is primarily undertaken by the respective State
Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. However, the Ministry
of Tourism through its central sector schemes of ‘Swadesh
Darshan(SD)’, Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), ‘Challenge Based
Destination Development (CBDD)’ – a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan,
‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive
(PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies (ACA) for Tourism
Infrastructure Development’ schemes is complementing the efforts of
tourism infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to
the State Governments/UT Administrations subject to availability of
funds, adherence to scheme guidelines, and submission of Detailed
Project Reports (DPRs) by the State Government. In addition,Government of India under its initiative for ‘Special Assistance to
States for Capital Investment (SASCI) has also provided financial
assistance to the States for development of tourism projects.
Details of sanctioned projects under the SD, SD2.0, CBDD, PRASHAD,
ACA and SASCI schemes in the State of Uttar Pradesh is annexed.
Presently, the State Government of Uttar Pradesh has not submitted any
Detailed Project Report for the development of Katarniaghat Wildlife
Sanctuary for consideration under any scheme.
*****ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.†95 ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025 REGARDING
DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM SPOT AT KATARNIAGHAT WILDLIFE
SANCTUARY RAISED BY DR. ANAND KUMAR
List of projects sanctioned in the State of Uttar Pradesh under Ministry
of Tourism Schemes:-
(Rs. in crore)
S. Name of the Project Circuit/ Sanctioned
No. Sanction Amount
Year
Swadesh Darshan
1. Development of Srawasti, Kushinagar, & Buddhist 87.89
Kapilwastu Circuit
2016-17
2. Development of Chitrakoot and Ramayana 69.45
Shringverpur Circuit
2016-17
3. Development of Ahar-Aligarh-Kasganj- Spiritual 71.91
Sarosi (Unnao)-Pratapgarh- Kausambi- Circuit
Mirzapur-Gorakhpur-Domariyaganj-Basti- 2016-17
Barabanki-Azamgarh-Kairana- Baghpat-
Shahjahanpur
4. Development of Bijnor- Meerut- Kanpur- Spiritual 67.51
Kanpur Dehat- Banda- Ghazipur- Salempur- Circuit
Ghosi- Balia- Ambedkar Nagar- Aligarh- 2016-17
Fatehpur- Deoria- Mahoba- Sonbhadra-
Chandauli- Mishrikh- Bhadohi
5. Development of Kalinjar Fort (Banda)- Heritage 36.65
MagharDham (SantKabir Nagar)- Circuit
ChauriChaura, Shaheed Sthal (Fatehpur)- 2016-17
MahuarshaheedSthal (Ghosi)- Shaheed
Smarak (Meerut)
6. Development of Ayodhya Ramayana 127.21
Circuit
2017-18
7. Development of Jewar-Dadri-Sikandrabad- Spiritual 12.03
Noida-Khurja-Banda Circuit
2018-19
8. Development of Gorakhnath Temple Spiritual 18.30(Gorakhpur), Devipattan Temple Circuit
(Balrampur) and Vatvashni Temple 2018-19
(Domariyagunj)
PRASHAD Scheme
1. Development of Varanasi –Phase –I 2015-16 18.73
2. Development of Mathura-Vrindavan as 2014-15 10.98
Mega Tourist Circuit (Ph-II)
3. Development of River Cruise Tourism at 2017-18 9.02
Varanasi
4. Construction of Tourist Facilitation Centre 2014-15 9.36
at Vrindavan
5. Development of Varanasi – Phase II 2017-18 44.60
6. Development of Infrastructure facilities at 2018-19 37.59
Govardhan
Swadesh Darshan 2.0
1. “Azad Park and Dekho Prayagraj Trail Exp” 2023-24 14.52
2. Vedic- wellness Experience at 2023-24 17.80
Naimisaranya’’
Assistance to Central Agencies
1. Joint Development of Agra Cantt. Railway 2013-14 5.05
Station
2. Joint Development of Rai-Bareilly Railway 2013-14 4.44
Station
3. Illumination of monuments in 2014-15 5.12
Varanasi/Sarnath (Dhamekh Stupa in
SarnathChaukhandi Stupa in Sarnath, Tomb
of Lalkan in Sarnath and Man Mahal in
Banaras)
4. Illumination of three monuments in 2017-18 2.93
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh-
1. Dashashwamedh Ghat to Darbanga Ghat
(stretch of 300 m)
2. Tulsi Manas Mandir
3. Sarnath Museum
Special Assistance to States/Union Territories for Capital Investment
(SASCI)
1. Development of Bateshwar in District-Agra 2024-25 74.05
2. Integrated Buddhist Tourism Development 2024-25 80.24
in Shrawasti
*****