Parliament Question: Eco-Tourism Development and Community-based Conservation in Tamil Nadu

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1246 ANSWERED ON 27.07.2026 ECO-TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY-BASED CONSERVATION IN TAMIL NADU

1246. THIRU D M KATHIR ANAND:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) the status of eco-tourism initiatives supported by the Government in Tamil Nadu, including the Baralikadu eco-tourism project in the Karamadai Forest Range of Coimbatore district within the Nilgiri Biosphere landscape, where nature-based tourism activities are undertaken with participation of tribal communities;

(b) the details of the initiatives implemented/proposed to be implemented for promoting eco-tourism models that combine conservation of forests, rivers and biodiversity with sustainable livelihood opportunities for tribal and forest-dwelling communities;

(c) the details of the programmes undertaken for strengthening visitor facilities, interpretation centres, skill development, community participation and promotion of eco-tourism destinations across Tamil Nadu;

(d) the details of funds allocated, released and utilised under eco- tourism, sustainable tourism and community-based tourism schemes during the period from 2020-21 to 2025-26; and

(e) the details of outcomes achieved in terms of tourist arrivals, local employment generation, conservation awareness and economic benefits to communities residing near protected and forest areas? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (e): Development of tourist destinations and products including eco- tourism is primarily undertaken by the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. The Ministry complements the efforts of States/UTs through various schemes and initiatives.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 guidelines for ‘Challenge Based Destination Development’ has been formulated as a sub scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme to enhance tourist experience and to transform tourist destinations as sustainable & responsible destinations.

Under the above schemes, the Ministry considers sanctioning a range of components which may enhance tourism facilitation at the destinations, as per project requirement including those related to tourism core products, tourism activities, safety, sanitation, last mile connectivity, parking, general site development, soft interventions etc.

The details of projects sanctioned in the State of Tamil Nadu are given at Annexure.

With the aim to promote tourism in tribal areas, the Ministry of Tourism has 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.

Various schemes, programs, and initiatives of the Ministry including Paryatan Mitra/Paryatan Didi, Hunar Se Rozgar Tak etc. have been actively addressing issues related to skill development, creation of awareness on economic benefits, sustainability etc.In order to provide impetus for development of eco-tourism in the country, Ministry of Tourism formulated National Strategies for eco- tourism and Sustainable Tourism and initiated Travel for LiFE programme to promote sustainable tourism in the country and to encourage the tourists and tourism businesses to adopt sustainable tourism practices.

******ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1246 ANSWERED ON 27.07.2026 REGARDING ECO-TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY-BASED CONSERVATION IN TAMIL NADU RAISED BY THIRU D M KATHIR ANAND

List of projects sanctioned in the State of Tamil Nadu:

S. Name of Project Amount No. Sanctioned (in ₹ Crore) A Swadesh Darshan 1.0 i. Development of Chennai- Mamamallapuram – 73.13 Rameshwaram – Manpadu – Kanyakumari (December 2015) Total Sanction Cost 73.13 B Swadesh Darshan 2.0 i. Immersive experience at Shore Temple 30.02 (March 2024- Rev May 2025) Total Sanction Cost 30.02 C Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) i. Iconic transformation of Rameswaram under Spiritual 20.01 (March 2025) Total Sanction Cost 20.01 D PRASHAD i. Development of Kanchipuram (Aug 2020) 13.99 ii. Development of Velankanni (May 2020) 4.86 iii. Development of 8 Navagraha Temples 40.94 (March 2025) Total Sanction Cost 59.79 E Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) i. Nandavanam Heritage Park (Nov 2024) 99.67 ii. Eco Park at Race Course in Ooty 70.23 (Nov 2024, Revised Sanction in Dec 2025) Total Sanction Cost 169.9 F Assistance to Central Agencies (ACA) i. Cruise Passenger Facilities Centre in the existing 17.24 Passenger Terminal at Chennai Port.

(September 2012) ii. Illumination and allied works at Gangaikonda 11.47 Cholapuram Temple, District – Ariyalur(March 2025) iii. Rameshwaram Railway Station (March 2018) 4.70 Madurai Railway Station 4.48 (June 2018) Total Sanction Cost 37.89 Total Central Assistance 390.74 ******