Parliament Question: Eco-Tourism Trails in Forest Areas

OIH GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1197 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2026 Eco-Tourism Trails in Forest Areas. 1197. SHRI JASWANTSINH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) whether it is proposed by the Government to formulate any scheme in collaboration with the State Government to develop eco-tourism trails in the forest areas and natural spots of Dahod Lok Sabha Constituency; and (b) the amount allocated to the State Forest Department in the current financial year for biodiversity conservation and forest promotion in the said Constituency? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a) and (b) Eco-tourism activities in forest areas and natural spots are undertaken by the concerned State Governments/Union Territory Administration, in accordance with prescriptions of an approved Management Plan, Tiger Conservation Plan and Working Plan, as applicable. To facilitate this, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued Guidelines for Sustainable Ecotourism in Forest and Wildlife Areas-2021. However, the promotion of tourism beyond these areas falls under the mandate of the Ministry of Tourism. During the current financial year, Rs. 297.28 lakh has been released to the State of Gujarat under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats, including for management of the Ratanmahal Sanctuary in Dahod District, Gujarat. ****