Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Tourism addresses the development of tribal tourism circuits through existing schemes like Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), and Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD). These schemes provide financial assistance to State Governments/UT Administrations for tourism infrastructure development, including in tribal areas. A sub-scheme focuses on developing homestays in tribal areas to promote responsible tourism and enhance livelihood opportunities for tribal communities.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Government Initiatives:**
* Tourism development is primarily undertaken by State Governments/UT Administrations.
* The Ministry of Tourism supplements these efforts through central sector schemes.
* Financial assistance is subject to fund availability, adherence to guidelines, and submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).
* Financial assistance has been provided to the States under Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI).
* **Swadesh Darshan (SD) Scheme:**
* Launched in 2014-15, it identifies thematic circuits for development, including the Tribal Circuit.
* The aim is to showcase tribal culture, traditions, crafts, and heritage.
* Projects sanctioned under the SD Scheme in the Tribal Circuit include projects in Chhattisgarh, Nagaland and Telangana. All projects are reported as physically complete.
* **Homestay Development in Tribal Areas:**
* Guidelines issued for 'Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas' under Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM JUGA) as a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
* Objective is to promote responsible tourism and enhance livelihood opportunities for tribal communities.
* Focus on technical upskilling and training of homestay owners.
* Development of 1000 homestays with financial support for village community requirements, construction of new rooms, and renovation of existing rooms.
* No funds have been released under this scheme so far.
* **Promotion of Tribal Tourism:**
* The Ministry of Tourism promotes tribal tourism through various initiatives, including promotional events, assistance to State Governments for organizing fairs and festivals, participation in exhibitions, websites, and social media.
Impact Analysis:
* **State Governments/UT Administrations:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for undertaking tourism development, including in tribal areas; eligible to receive financial assistance from the Ministry of Tourism.
* *Action Required:* Submit Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) adhering to scheme guidelines to apply for financial assistance; formulate proposals for 'Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas'.
* **Tribal Communities:**
* *Impact:* Potential beneficiaries of enhanced tourism infrastructure and increased livelihood opportunities through homestay development and guided tours.
* *Action Required:* Participate in homestay development initiatives and upskilling programs.
* **Homestay Owners:**
* *Impact:* Opportunity to receive financial assistance for construction/renovation and technical upskilling.
* *Action Required:* Adhere to guidelines for homestay development and participate in training programs.
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.
Swadesh Darshan: A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism for tourism infrastructure development, focusing on integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits.
Swadesh Darshan 2.0: An evolved version of the Swadesh Darshan scheme, focusing on sustainable and responsible tourism.
PRASHAD: Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive; a scheme by the Ministry of Tourism focusing on developing and beautifying pilgrimage destinations.
Chhattisgarh: A state in India where a Tribal Tourism Circuit project was sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, specifically in Jashpur, Kunkuri, Mainpat, Kamleshpur, MaheshpurKurdar, Sarodhadadar, Gangrel, Kondagaon, Nathiyanawagaon, Jagdalpur, Chitrakoot, and Tirthgarh.
Nagaland: A state in India where Tribal Tourism Circuit projects were sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, specifically in Peren, Kohima, Wokha, Mokokchung, Tuensang, and Mon.
Telangana: A state in India where a Tribal Tourism Circuit project was sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, specifically in Mulugu, Laknavaram, Medavaram, Tadvai, Damaravi, Mallur, and Bogatha Waterfalls.
Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan: A scheme related to the 'Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas' under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, aimed at promoting responsible tourism and enhancing livelihood opportunities for tribal communities.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3458
ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
DEVELOPMENT OF TRIBAL TOURISM CIRCUIT
3458. ADV GOWAAL KAGADA PADAVI:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government plans to develop a "Tribal Tourism Circuit"
featuring prominent tribal destinations;
(b) if so, the details of the sites identified along with project timeline;
(c) whether community-run Homestays and guided tours by tribal youth
are to be included therein;
(d) the details of the promotional investments made nationally and
internationally; and
(e) the manner in which SWADESH and sanitation facilities are likely to
be integrated at these tourist spots?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (e): Development of different tourist destinations is primarily
undertaken by the concerned State Governments/UT Administrations.
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 and
‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive
(PRASHAD)’ schemes complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure
development and amenities at tourism destinations across the country.
This also includes tribal areas where tribal communities are significantly
represented for enhancing tourism experiences by extending financial
assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations.
This financial assistance is extended subject to availability of funds,
adherence to scheme guidelines and other instructions issued from time totime, submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) by the concerned
State Governments/UT Administrations, etc.
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.
Under the SD Scheme, launched in 2014–15, thematic circuits were
identified for development. Among them, the Tribal Circuit was one of the
key themes, with an aim to showcase the rich tribal culture, traditions,
crafts, and heritage of various regions.
The Details of the projects sanctioned under SD Scheme in Tribal
Circuit is Annexed.
Further, with the aim to promote tourism in tribal areas, the Ministry
of Tourism has recently issued guidelines along with template for
formulation of proposal by State Governments and UT Administrations for
'Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas' (A sub-scheme of Swadesh
Darshan Scheme) under Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-
JUGA).
The objective of the initiative is to develop homestays in tribal areas
to promote responsible tourism and enhance livelihood opportunities for
tribal communities. The guidelines also focus on technical upskilling and
training of the Homestay owners. The said initiative includes development
of 1000 homestays with support of Up to ₹5 lakh for village community
requirement, Up to ₹5 lakh for construction of two new rooms for each
household and Up to ₹3 lakh for renovation of existing rooms
for each household. So far no funds have been released under this scheme.
Ministry of Tourism as part of its ongoing endeavour promotes
various tourism destinations and products of India including tribal tourism,
through various initiatives including promotional events, assistance to
State Governments for organizing fairs and festivals, participation in
exhibitions, websites, social media etc.
********ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.3458 ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025 REGARDING
DEVELOPMENT OF TRIBAL TOURISM CIRCUIT RAISED BY ADV GOWAAL
KAGADA PADAVI
The list of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan scheme in
Tribal circuit is as under:-
S. State/UT Circuit / Name of the Project Amount
Sanctioned
No. Sanction
Year (in ₹ Crore)
1 Chhattisgarh Tribal Development of Jashpur- 96.10
Circuit
Kunkuri- Mainpat- Kamleshpur-
2015-16
Maheshpur-Kurdar-
Sarodhadadar- Gangrel-
Kondagaon– Nathiyanawagaon-
Jagdalpur- Chitrakoot-
Tirthgarh
2 Nagaland Tribal Development of Tribal Circuit 97.36
Circuit Peren- Kohima- Wokha
2015-16
3 Nagaland Tribal Development of Mokokchung- 98.14
Circuit
Tuensang-Mon
2016-17
4 Telangana Tribal Development of Mulugu- 79.87
Circuit
Laknavaram- Medavaram-
2016-17
Tadvai- Damaravi- Mallur-
Bogatha Waterfalls
Note: All the aforesaid projects are reported physically completed.
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