Parliament Question: Development of Tribal Tourism Circuit in Assam

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*215 ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 DEVELOPMENT OF TRIBAL TOURISM CIRCUIT IN ASSAM *215. SHRI AMARSING TISSO:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to develop a dedicated Tribal Tourism Circuit covering Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts of Assam;

(b) whether any proposal in this regard has been received from the State Government of Assam or the Autonomous Councils of the said districts;

(c) whether the Government proposes to provide Central financial assistance for the development of ropeways, eco-resorts, homestays, adventure tourism and interpretation centres in the said districts; and

(d) the details of the Central schemes under which such projects may be sanctioned along with the eligibility criteria for getting assistance thereunder? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. ******STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (D) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*215 ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF TRIBAL TOURISM CIRCUIT IN ASSAM RAISED BY SHRI AMARSING TISSO

(a) to (d): Identification, development and promotion of tourist destinations, including tribal tourism circuit is primarily undertaken by the concerned State Government (SG) /Union Territory Administration (UTA).

However, the Ministry of Tourism through its schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan

(SD)’, ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’, a sub-scheme of SD2.0, and ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to the SGs/UTAs.

The projects under the above Schemes are sanctioned subject to adherence to the scheme guidelines, submission of Detailed Project Reports

(DPRs) by SG/UTA, availability of funds, Government directions, inter-se priority etc. Details of the projects sanctioned under these schemes of Ministry of Tourism in the state of Assam is annexed. In 2024-25, Government of India has also sanctioned the projects ‘Assam State Zoo Cum Botanical Garden in Guwahati’ for ₹97.12 Crore and ‘Beautification of Rang Ghar in Sivasagar’ for ₹94.76 Crore in the State of Assam under the initiative ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’.

In addition, during the financial year 2025-26, the Ministry has initiated 'Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas' under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA – JGUA) scheme as a part of Swadesh Darshan2.0 to promote community-based tourism and sustainable livelihoods in tribal areas and has sanctioned 5 projects in five states for an amount of ₹17.52 Crore.

The Swadesh Darshan Scheme was initially designed for the integrated development of thematic tourism circuits. The same had been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 adopting a destination-centric approach with a focus on developing sustainable and responsible tourism destinations to enhance visitor experience and effective destination management.

While, submission of proposals by the State Government/Autonomous Councils through the State Government (SG), is a continuous process, no proposal specific to Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts of Assam is presently under consideration of the Ministry of Tourism.

Ministry of Tourism does not operate a separate, dedicated central sector scheme exclusively for ropeways, eco-resorts, adventure tourism or interpretation centres. However, such components have been part of project sanctioned by the Ministry for SGs/UTAs. Further, the Ministry has also formulated separate National Strategies for Eco-tourism and Adventure Tourism, which provide the broader policy framework for such interventions.

******ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (D) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*215 ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF TRIBAL TOURISM CIRCUIT IN ASSAM RAISED BY SHRI AMARSING TISSO

(i) Details of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in

the State of Assam:

S. Circuit/ Name of the Project Amount No. Sanction Year Sanctioned (in ₹ Crore)

1. Wildlife Development of Manas–Probitora– 94.68 2015-16 Nameri–Kaziranga–Dibru–Saikhowa

2. Heritage Development of Tezpur – Majuli – 90.98 2016-17 Sibsagar

(ii) Details of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme

in the State of Assam:

S. Destination Name of the Experience Sanction Sanctioned No. Year Cost (in ₹ Crore)

1. Kokrajhar Kokrajhar Wetland Experience 2023-24 26.68

2. Jorhat Reimagining Cinnamara Tea 2023-24 23.88 Estate

(iii) Details of the projects sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) in the State of Assam:

S. Destination / Category Name of the Sanction Sanctioned No. Experience Year Cost (in ₹ Crore)

1. Sivasagar (Eco-tourism and Panidhing Bird 2024-25 9.99 Amrit Dharohar Sites) Sanctuary(iv) Details of the projects sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme in the State

of Assam:

S. Sanction Project Name Sanction Amount No. Year (in ₹ Crore) Development of Kamakhya Temple and

1. 2015-16 Pilgrimage Destination in and around 29.80 Guwahati ******