Parliament Question: Efforts for Tribal Communities in Tripura

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4031 ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025 EFFORTS FOR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES IN TRIPURA 4031.SMT. KRITI DEVI DEBBARMAN: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) the efforts being made by the Government to involve tribal communities in Tripura in the tourism sector, particularly through initiatives focused on tribal heritage, eco-tourism and wildlife tourism; (b) the details of the steps taken/being taken to promote homestays, local guide services, and the sale of handicrafts to ensure that the benefits of tourism reach the grassroots level; and (c) the manner in which the Government is working to make tourism a major driver of local economic development, thereby creating sustainable livelihoods for these communities in Tripura? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (c): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and tourism products, including wildlife, tribal, and heritage tourism, is primarily undertaken by the respective State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations. The Ministry of Tourism complements these efforts through its Central Sector Schemes—‘Swadesh Darshan (SD)’, Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0), ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’ under Swadesh Darshan, ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’, and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ (ACA). Financial assistance is provided under these schemes subject to the availability of funds, adherence to scheme guidelines, and submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) by the State Governments/UT Administrations.In addition, under the ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment’ (SASCI) initiative, the Government of India has also extended financial assistance for the development of tourism projects. As per guidelines issued by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism has earmarked 4.3% of the total scheme outlay i.e. ₹103 crores under the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) component of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, which includes ₹88 crores under the Tribal Area Sub Plan and ₹15 crores under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM- JUGA). This dedicated head of expenditure ensures focused investment in Scheduled Tribes-dominated regions, facilitating cultural preservation economic upliftment, and inclusive tourism growth. Projects sanctioned under the Tribal Circuit theme specifically aim to enhance visibility of tribal heritage and integrate tribal communities into the tourism value chain, thereby contributing to sustainable and regionally balanced development. The Swadesh Darshan Scheme, launched in 2014–15, initially identified 15 thematic circuits for development, including the Eco-tourism, Wildlife, and Tribal Circuits as key themes. Projects sanctioned under the Tribal Circuit aim to enhance the visibility of tribal heritage and integrate tribal communities into the tourism value chain, contributing to sustainable and regionally balanced development. The details of the circuits sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in the country including in the state of Tripura is annexed as Annexure - I. In addition to infrastructure development, the Ministry has undertaken targeted interventions for livelihood enhancement in tribal areas, such as the ‘Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas’ under PM- JUGA. This initiative aims to support the creation of 1,000 homestays in tribal areas, with financial assistance of up to ₹5 lakh for village community requirements, ₹5 lakh for constructing two new rooms per household, and ₹3 lakh for renovating existing rooms, along with provisions for technical training and upskilling of homestay owners. These measures are intended to promote sustainable tourism and address systemic challenges in tourism-linked livelihood generation. As of date, no funds have been released under the PM-JUGA Homestay initiative. Fee exemption is given to SC and ST Candidates under Incredible India Tourist Facilitator (IITF) certification programme - a digital initiative conducted by the Ministry that aims at creating and online learning platform with an objective of creating pool of well trained and professionalTourist Facilitators and Tourist Guides across the country. The system provides basic, advanced (heritage and adventure), spoken language and refresher courses for candidates. Ministry of Tourism as part of its ongoing endeavour, promotes various tourism destinations and products of India in a holistic manner, through various initiatives including promotional events, assistance to State Governments for organising fairs and festivals, participation in exhibitions, websites, social media etc. Details of fairs and festivals supported by Ministry of Tourism under DPPH scheme for last five years in the state of Tripura is annexed as Annexure- II. *******ANNEXURE - I STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4031 ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025 REGARDING EFFORTS FOR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES IN TRIPURA RAISED BY SMT. KRITI DEVI DEBBARMAN The list of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan scheme:- S. State/UT Circuit / Name of the Project Amount No. Sanction Sanctioned Year (in ₹ Crore) 1. A ndaman & Coastal Development of Long Island- 27.57 Nicobar Circuit Ross Smith Island- Neil Island- Islands 2016-17 Havelock Island- Baratang Island-Port Blair 2. Andhra Coastal Development of Kakinada - 67.83 Pradesh Circuit Hope Island - Coringa Wildlife 2014-15 Sanctuary - Passarlapudi - Aduru - S Yanam – Kotipally 3. Andhra Coastal Development of Nellore - 49.55 Pradesh Circuit Pulikat Lake - Ubblamadugu 2015-16 Water Falls – Nelapattu- Kothakoduru- Mypadu - Ramateertham – Iskapalli 4. Andhra Buddhist Development of Buddhist 35.24 Pradesh Circuit Circuit: Shalihundam- 2017-18 Bavikonda- Bojjanakonda - Amravati- Anupu 5. Arunachal North-East Development of Bhalukpong- 49.77 Pradesh Circuit Bomdila and Tawang 2014-15 6. Arunachal North East Development of Nafra- Seppa- 96.72 Pradesh Circuit Pappu, Pasa, Pakke Valleys- 2015-16 Sangdupota- New Sagalee- Ziro- Yomcha 7. Assam Wildlife Development of Manas– 94.68 Circuit Probitora– Nameri– Kaziranga– 2015-16 Dibru– Saikhowa 8. Assam Heritage Development of Tezpur – Majuli 90.98 Circuit – Sibsagar2016-17 9. Bihar Tirthankar Development of Vaishali- Arrah- 33.96 Circuit Masad- Patna- Rajgir- Pawapuri- 2016-17 Champapuri 10. Bihar Spiritual Development of Kanwaria 44.76 Circuit Route: Sultanganj – 2016-17 Dharmshala- Deoghar 11. Bihar Buddhist Development of Buddhist 95.18 Circuit circuit- Construction of 2016-17 Convention Centre at Bodhgaya 12. Bihar Rural Development of Bhitiharwa- 44.27 Circuit Chandrahia- Turkaulia 2017-18 13. Bihar Spiritual Development of Mandar Hill & 44.55 Circuit Ang Pradesh 2017-18 14. C hhattisgarh Tribal Development of Jashpur- 96.10 Circuit Kunkuri- Mainpat- Kamleshpur - 2015-16 Maheshpur -Kurdar - Sarodhadadar- Gangrel- Kondagaon– Nathiyanawagaon- Jagdalpur- Chitrakoot- Tirthgarh 15. Goa Coastal Development of Sinquerim- 97.65 Circuit Baga, Anjuna-Vagator, Morjim- 2016-17 Keri, Aguada Fort and Aguada Jail 16. Goa Coastal Development of Coastal Circuit 99.35 Circuit II: Rua De Orum Creek - Dona 2017-18 Paula -Colva - Benaulim 17. Gujarat Heritage Development of Ahmedabad- 59.17 Circuit Rajkot- Porbandar –Bardoli- 2016-17 Dandi 18. Gujarat Heritage Development of Vadnagar- 91.12 Circuit Modhera 2016-17 19. Gujarat Buddhist Development of Junagadh- Gir 26.68 Circuit Somnath- Bharuch-Kutch- 2017-18 Bhavnagar- Rajkot- Mehsana 20. Haryana Krishna Development of Tourism 77.39Circuit Infrastructures at places 2016-17 related to Mahabharata in Kurukshetra 21. Himachal Himalayan Development of Himalayan 68.34 Pradesh Circuit Circuit: Kiarighat, Shimla, 2016-17 Hatkoti, Manali, Kangra, Dharamshala, Bir, Palampur, Chamba 22. Jammu & Himalayan Development of Jammu- 77.33 Kashmir Circuit Srinagar-Pahalgam-Bhagwati 2016-17 Nagar-Anantnag-Salamabad Uri- Kargil-Leh 23. Jammu & Himalayan Development of Tourist 81.60 Kashmir Circuit Facilities at Jammu-Rajouri- 2016-17 Shopian-Pulwama. 24. Jammu & Himalayan Development of Tourist 90.43 Kashmir Circuit Facilities - Construction of 2016-17 Assets in lieu of those Destroyed in Floods in 2014 under PM Development Package 25. Jammu & Himalayan Development of Tourist 91.99 Kashmir Circuit facilities at Mantalai and 2016-17 Sudhmahadev 26. Jammu & Himalayan Development of Tourist 86.39 Kashmir Circuit facilities at Anantnag-Pulwama- 2016-17 Kishtwar-Pahalgam-Zanskar Padum - Daksum - Ranjit Sagar Dam 27. Jammu & Himalayan Development of Tourist 91.84 Kashmir Circuit Facilities at Gulmarg- 2016-17 Baramulla- Kupwara- Kargil - Leh 28. Jharkhand Eco Development of Eco Tourism 30.44 Circuit circuit: Dalma- Betla National 2018-19 park- Mirchaiya- Netarhat 29. Kerala Eco Development of 64.08 Circuit Pathanamthitta- Gavi- Vagamon- 2015-16 Thekkady 30. Kerala Spiritual Development of Sabarimala - 46.54 Circuit Erumeli-Pampa-Sannidhanam2016-17 31. Kerala Spiritual Development of Sree 78.08 Circuit Padmanabha Arnamula 2016-17 32. Kerala Rural Development of Malanad 57.35 Circuit Malabar Cruise Tourism Project 2018-19 33. Kerala Spiritual Development Sivagiri Sree 66.42 Circuit Narayana Guru Ashram- 2018-19 Arruvipuram- Kunnumpara Sree Subrahmania- Chembazhanthi Sree Narayana Gurukulam 34. Madhya Wildlife Development of Wildlife Circuit 92.10 Pradesh Circuit at Panna- Mukundpur- Sanjay- 2015-16 Dubri-Bandhavgarh- Kanha- Mukki- Pench 35. Madhya Buddhist Development of Sanchi-Satna- 74.02 Pradesh Circuit Rewa-Mandsaur-Dhar 2016-17 36. Madhya Heritage Development of Gwalior – 89.82 Pradesh Circuit Orchha – Khajuraho – Chanderi – 2016-17 Bhimbetka – Mandu 37. Madhya Eco Development of Gandhisagar 93.76 Pradesh Circuit Dam- Mandleshwar Dam- 2017-18 Omkareshwar Dam- Indira Sagar Dam- Tawa Dam- Bargi Dam- Bheda Ghat- Bansagar Dam- Ken River 38. M aharashtra Coastal Development of Sindhudurg 19.06 Circuit Coastal Circuit - Sagareshwar, 2015-16 Tarkarli, Vijaydurg (Beach & Creek), Mitbhav 39. M aharashtra Spiritual Development of Waki- Adasa- 45.47 Circuit Dhapewada- Paradsingha- 2018-19 Telankhandi- Girad 40. Manipur North-East Development of Tourist Circuit 72.23 Circuit in Manipur: Imphal- Khongjom 2015-16 41. Manipur Spiritual Development of Shri Govindajee 45.34 Circuit Temple, Shri Bijoy Govindajee2016-17 Temple – Shri Gopinath Temple – Shri Bungshibodon Temple – Shri Kaina Temple 42. M eghalaya North East Development of Umium (Lake 99.13 Circuit View), U Lum Sohpetbneng- 2016-17 Mawdiangdiang – Orchid Lake Resort 43. M eghalaya North East Development of West Khasi 84.97 Circuit Hills (Nongkhlaw- KremTirot – 2018-19 Khudoi & Kohmang Falls – Khri River- Mawthadraishan, Shillong), Jaintia Hills (Krang Suri Falls- Shyrmang- Iooksi), Garo Hills (Nokrek Reserve, Katta Beel, Siju Caves) 44. Mizoram North East Development of Thenzawl & 92.26 Circuit South Zote, District Serchhip 2015-16 and Reiek. 45. Mizoram Eco Development of Eco-Adventure 66.37 Circuit Circuit Aizawl -Rawpuichhip – 2016-17 Khawhphawp – Lengpui – Chatlang- Sakawrhmuituaitlang - Muthee – Beratlawng -Tuirial Airfield – Hmuifang 46. Nagaland Tribal Development of Tribal Circuit 97.36 Circuit Peren- Kohima- Wokha 2015-16 47. Nagaland Tribal Development of Mokokchung- 98.14 Circuit Tuensang-Mon 2016-17 48. Odisha Coastal Development of Gopalpur, 70.82 Circuit Barkul, Satapada and Tampara 2016-17 49. P uducherry Coastal Development of Dubrayapet – 58.44 Circuit Arikamedu – Veerampattinam – 2015-16 Chunnambar - Nallavadu/Narambai - Manapet- Kalapet - Puducherry - Yanam 50. P uducherry Heritage Development of Franco- Tamil 49.44 Circuit Village, Karaikal, Mahe and2017-18 Yanam 51. P uducherry Spiritual Development 34.96 Circuit of Spiritual Circuit in 2017-18 Puducherry 52. Punjab Heritage Development of Anandpur Sahib 85.32 Circuit - Fatehgarh Sahib - Chamkaur 2018-19 Sahib - Ferozpur - Khatkar Kalan – Kalanour - Patiala 53. Rajasthan Desert Development of Sambhar Lake 50.01 Circuit Town and Other Destinations 2015-16 54. Rajasthan Krishna Development of Govind Dev ji 75.80 Circuit temple (Jaipur), Khatu Shyam Ji 2016-17 (Sikar) and Nathdwara (Rajsamand) 55. Rajasthan Spiritual Development of Spiritual 87.05 Circuit Circuit– 'Development of Churu 2016-17 (Salasar Balaji)-Jaipur (Shri Samodke Balaji, Ghatke Balaji, Bandheke Balaji)- Viratnagar (Bijak, Jainnasiya, Ambika Temple)- Bharatpur (Kaman Region)- Dholpur (Muchkund) - Mehndipur Balaji- Chittorgarh (Sanwaliyaji) 56. Rajasthan Heritage Development of Heritage Circuit 70.61 Circuit Development of Rajsamand 2017-18 (Kumbhalgarh Fort) - Jaipur (Facade Illumination in Jaipur and Nahargarh Fort) -Jhalawar (Gagron Fort) - Chittorgarh (Chittorgarh Fort) – Jaisalmer (Jaisalmer Fort) - Hanumangarh (Gogamedi) - Udaipur (Pratap Gaurav Kendra) - Dholpur (Bagh- I-Nilofor and Purani Chawani) - Nagaur (Meera Bai Smarak, Merta) - Tonk (Sunehri Kothi) 57. Sikkim North Development of Tourist Circuit 98.05 East linking Rangpo (entry) – Circuit Rorathang- Aritar- Phadamchen-2015-16 Nathang-Sherathang- Tsongmo- Gangtok-Phodong- Mangan- Lachung-Yumthang- Lachen- Thangu-Gurudongmer- Mangan- Gangtok-TuminLingee- Singtam (exit) 58. Sikkim North East Development of Tourist Circuit 95.32 Circuit Linking Singtam– Maka- Temi- 2016-17 BermoikTokel- Phongia- Namchi –Jorthang- Okharey- Sombaria- Daramdin- Jorethang- Melli (Exit) 59. T amil Nadu Coastal Development of (Chennai- 73.13 Circuit Mamamallapuram – 2016-17 Rameshwaram – Manpadu – Kanyakumari) 60. Telangana Eco Development of Eco Tourism 91.62 Circuit Circuit in Mahaboobnagar 2015-16 district 61. Telangana Tribal Development of Mulugu- 79.87 Circuit Laknavaram- Medavaram- 2016-17 Tadvai- Damaravi- Mallur- Bogatha Waterfalls 62. Telangana Heritage Development of Qutub Shahi 96.90 Circuit Heritage Park- Paigah Tombs- 2017-18 Hayat Bakshi Mosque- Raymond's Tomb 63. Tripura North East Development of Agartala - 82.85 Circuit Sipahijala - Melaghar - Udaipur - 2015-16 Amarpur- Tirthamukh- Mandirghat– Dumboor- NarikelKunja- Gandachara– Ambassa 64. Tripura North Development of Surma Cherra- 44.83 East Unakoti- Jampui Hills- Gunabati Circuit - Bhunaneshwari- Neermahal- 2018-19 Boxanagar- Chottakhola- Pilak- Avangchaarra 65. Uttar Buddhist Development of Srawasti, 87.89 Pradesh Circuit Kushinagar, & Kapilwastu 2016-1766. Uttar Ramayana Development of Chitrakoot and 69.45 Pradesh Circuit Shringverpur 2016-17 67. Uttar Spiritual Development of Ahar-Aligarh- 71.91 Pradesh Circuit Kasganj-Sarosi (Unnao)- 2016-17 Pratapgarh- Kausambi-Mirzapur- Gorakhpur-Domariyaganj-Basti- Barabanki-Azamgarh-Kairana- Baghpat- Shahjahanpur 68. Uttar Spiritual Development of Bijnor- Meerut- 67.51 Pradesh Circuit Kanpur- Kanpur Dehat- Banda- 2016-17 Ghazipur- Salempur- Ghosi- Balia- Ambedkar Nagar- Aligarh- Fatehpur- Deoria- Mahoba- Sonbhadra- Chandauli- Mishrikh- Bhadohi 69. Uttar Heritage Development of Kalinjar Fort 36.65 Pradesh Circuit (Banda)- Maghar Dham (Sant 2016-17 Kabir Nagar)- Chauri Chaura, Shaheed Sthal (Fatehpur)- Mahuar shaheed Sthal (Ghosi)- Shaheed Smarak (Meerut) 70. Uttar Ramayana Development of Ayodhya 127.21 Pradesh Circuit 2017-18 71. Uttar Spiritual Development of Jewar-Dadri- 12.03 Pradesh Circuit Sikandrabad-Noida-Khurja- 2018-19 Banda 72. Uttar Spiritual Development of Gorakhnath 18.30 Pradesh Circuit Temple (Gorakhpur), Devipattan 2018-19 Temple (Balrampur) and Vatvashni Temple (Domariyagunj) 73. U ttarakhand Eco Integrated Development of Eco- 69.17 Circuit Tourism, Adventure Sports, and 2015-16 Associated Tourism Related Infrastructure for Development of Tehri Lake & Surroundings as New Destination-District Tehri 74. U ttarakhand Heritage Integrated Development of 76.32 Circuit Heritage Circuit in Kumaon2016-17 Region - Katarmal -Jogeshwar- Baijnath-Devidhura 75. W est Bengal Coastal Development of Beach Circuit: 67.99 Circuit Udaipur- Digha- Shankarpur- 2015-16 Tajpur- Mandarmani- Fraserganj-Bakkhlai- Henry Island 76. - Wayside Development of Wayside 17.50 Amenities Amenities in Uttar Pradesh and 2018-19 Bihar at Varanasi-Gaya; Kushinagar-Gaya- Kushinagar in collaboration with MoRTH Total Amount 5290.33 Note: All the above projects are reported physically completed except the project mentioned at Sl. No. 33. *********ANNEXURE - II STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4031 ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025 REGARDING EFFORTS FOR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES IN TRIPURA RAISED BY SMT. KRITI DEVI DEBBARMAN Details of fairs and festivals supported by Ministry of Tourism under DPPH scheme for last five years is as follows: (Rs. In lakhs) Name of Amount Year Name of Fairs & Festivals state sanctioned 2020-21 Bharat Bangla Festival 25.00 Neermahal Festival 10.00 2022-23 Diwali Festival 5.00 Chabimura Festival 5.00 Neermahal Festival 9.80 Tripura 2023-24 Diwali Festival 9.55 Chabimura Festival 3.00 Diwali Festival 20.00 Chabimura & Tirthamukh Festival 12.00 2024-25 Ashokastami Festival 5.00 Chapchar Kut Festival 5.00 *********