**Executive Summary**
This document summarizes the response by the Minister of Tourism to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 133, answered on December 1, 2025, regarding eco-tourism and wildlife tourism in Maharashtra. The Ministry extends financial assistance for tourism infrastructure through various central sector schemes and sustainable tourism practices. Annexure-I provides project details sanctioned in Maharashtra with timelines from March 2016 to September 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Government Approach:**
* The development and promotion of tourist destinations, including eco-tourism and wildlife tourism, is undertaken by State/Union Territory Administrations.
* **Financial Assistance:**
* The Ministry of Tourism extends financial assistance through schemes like 'Swadesh Darshan', 'PRASHAD', and 'Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development'.
* Central financial assistance is extended based on guidelines and proposals/detailed project reports received from States and UTs.
* **Sustainable Tourism:**
* The Swadesh Darshan Scheme has been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 for sustainable and responsible tourism development.
* Environmental Sustainability is a key pillar in the National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism.
* The "Travel for LIFE" program encourages sustainable tourism practices.
* **Sanctioned Projects in Maharashtra (Annexure-I):**
* Under Swadesh Darshan 1.0: Projects include Sindhudurg Coastal Circuit (₹19.06 Crore, March 2016) and Waki-Adasa Project (₹45.47 Crore, May 2018). Totaling ₹64.53 Crore.
* Under Swadesh Darshan 2.0: Shivsrushti Historical Theme Park in Pune (₹76.22 Crore, Sep 2025).
* Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD): Ahmednagar Fort development (₹25.00 Crore, March 2025).
* PRASHAD: Trimbakeshwar, Nashik development (₹45.41 Crore, rev Feb 2025).
* Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI): RAM-KAL PATH, Nashik (₹99.14 Crore, Nov 2024) and Ex-INS Guldar Underwater Museum, Sindhudurg (₹46.91 Crore, Nov 2024). Totaling ₹146.05 Crore
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: State Government/Union Territory Administrations**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the development and promotion of eco-tourism and wildlife tourism.
* **Action Required:** To develop and submit proposals/detailed project reports according to guidelines to avail financial assistance from the Ministry of Tourism.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Tourism**
* **Impact:** Responsible for providing financial assistance and setting guidelines for sustainable tourism.
* **Action Required:** To continue administering the central sector schemes and monitor the progress of the sanctioned projects.
**Stakeholder: Tourists and Tourism Businesses**
* **Impact:** Encouraged to adopt sustainable tourism practices.
* **Action Required:** To participate in the Travel for LIFE program and adopt eco-friendly practices.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The central government ministry responsible for formulating and implementing policies related to tourism in India.
Maharashtra: Indian state where eco-tourism and wildlife tourism projects are being implemented.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme: Central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism aimed at integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits.
PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive): Central sector scheme focused on holistic development of pilgrimage destinations.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.133
ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025
ECO-TOURISM AND WILDLIFE TOURISM IN MAHARASHTRA
133. MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken note of the growing potential of
eco-tourism and wildlife tourism in Maharashtra’s protected forest
areas;
(b) if so, the details of ongoing or proposed eco-tourism projects
supported by the Government in coordination with the State Forest
Department;
(c) whether the Government has issued any guidelines to ensure that
tourism in these areas does not harm ecological balance and wildlife
habitats;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the details of the funds sanctioned and utilized for eco-tourism
infrastructure in Maharashtra during the last five years, district-wise?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (e): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and
products, including eco-tourism and wildlife tourism is undertaken by the
respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration.
The Ministry of Tourism through its central sector schemes of ‘Swadesh
Darshan, ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation
Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism
Infrastructure Development ’extends financial assistance to the State
Governments /UT Administrations for tourism infrastructure development
in the country. The central financial assistance is being extended
according to guidelines and based on proposals / detailed project reports
received from the States and UT Governments. The details of projects
sanctioned in the State of Maharashtra are given at Annexure-I.The Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Ministry has been revamped as
Swadesh Darshan 2.0 with the objective to develop sustainable and
responsible tourism destinations following a tourist & destination centric
approach.
Environmental Sustainability is a key pillar in the National Strategy for
Sustainable Tourism formulated by the Ministry and circulated to the State
Governments and Union Territory Administrations. In line with the strategy,
Travel for LiFE programme was initiated to encourage tourists and tourism
businesses to adopt sustainable tourism practices.
*******ANNEXURE-I
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.133 ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025 REGARDING ECO-TOURISM
AND WILDLIFE TOURISM IN MAHARASHTRA RAISED BY MS. PRANITI
SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE
The details of projects sanctioned in the State of Maharashtra:
S. Name of Project Sanction Cost
No. (₹ Crore)
A Swadesh Darshan 1.0
i. Development of Sindhudurg Coastal Circuit - 19.06
Sagareshwar, Tarkarli, Vijaydurg (Beach &
Creek), Mitbhav (March 2016)
ii. Development of Waki- Adasa- Dhapewada- 45.47
Paradsingha- Telankhandi- Girad (May 2018)
Total Sanction Cost 64.53
B Swadesh Darshan 2.0
i. Shivsrushti Historical Theme Park- Phase 3, Pune 76.22
(Sep 2025)
Total Sanction Cost 76.22
C Challenge Based Destination Development
(CBDD)
i. Development of Ahmednagar Fort (March 2025) 25.00
Total Sanction Cost 25.00
D PRASHAD
i. Development of Trimbakeshwar, Nashik (Jan 45.41
2018, rev Feb 2025)
Total Sanction Cost 45.41
E Special Assistance to States for Capital
Investment (SASCI)
i. RAM-KAL PATH, Nashik (Nov 2024) 99.14
ii. Ex-INS Guldar Underwater Museum, Artificial 46.91
Reef, and Submarine Tourism, Sindhudurg (Nov
2024)
Total Sanction Cost 146.05
******