**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.†294, answered on February 2, 2026, regarding the promotion of eco-tourism in India, particularly Rajasthan. The Minister of Tourism outlines the Government's initiatives to promote eco-tourism, including the National Strategy for Eco Tourism and the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. The document also details specific projects sanctioned under various schemes in Rajasthan, with project completion dates ranging from 2015 to 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **National Strategy for Eco Tourism:**
* The Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy for Eco Tourism to position India as a preferred global destination.
* Strategic pillars identified for ecotourism development include:
* State Assessment and Ranking
* State Strategy for Ecotourism
* IEC, Capacity Building and Certification
* Marketing and Promotion
* Destination and Product Development
* Public-Private and Community
* Partnerships Governance and Institutional Framework
* **Swadesh Darshan Scheme:**
* Eco Circuit identified as a thematic circuit under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
* The scheme has been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0, aiming for sustainable and responsible tourism with a tourist & destination-centric approach.
* **Projects Sanctioned in Rajasthan:**
* The document includes an annexure detailing projects sanctioned in Rajasthan under various schemes, including Swadesh Darshan 1.0, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, PRASHAD, Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), and Assistance to Central Agencies (ACA).
* Examples of projects include development of Sambhar Lake Town, Integrated Development of Govind Dev ji temple, and various railway station upgrades.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration**
* **Impact**: Responsible for the development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, including eco-tourism.
* **Action Required**: Implement and manage eco-tourism initiatives and projects within their respective jurisdictions, aligning with the National Strategy for Eco Tourism.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Tourism**
* **Impact**: The Ministry is responsible for promoting India as a holistic tourism destination, including eco-tourism, and oversees the implementation of the National Strategy for Eco Tourism and the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
* **Action Required**: Continue to promote eco-tourism through various initiatives and monitor the progress of sanctioned projects, adjusting strategies as needed.
**Stakeholder: Local Communities in Rajasthan**
* **Impact**: Potentially benefit from tourism development projects, particularly those focused on spiritual and heritage circuits, and railway station upgrades.
* **Action Required**: Engage with project implementation to ensure that tourism development benefits the local population and preserves cultural heritage.
**Stakeholder: Tourists (Domestic and International)**
* **Impact**: Tourists will be able to visit developed tourism sites as a result of the projects outlined in this document.
* **Action Required**: Plan trips, visit, and enjoy the sites.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The primary ministry responsible for promoting tourism and formulating strategies for ecotourism in India.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme: A scheme of the Ministry of Tourism aimed at developing thematic tourism circuits in India. Revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 with a focus on sustainable and responsible tourism.
National Strategy for Eco Tourism: A strategy formulated by the Ministry of Tourism to position India as a preferred global destination for ecotourism.
Rajasthan: A state in India with specific ecotourism initiatives and projects sanctioned under various schemes of the Ministry.
PRASHAD: The central scheme, of which project proposals were sanctioned within the state of Rajasthan
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†294
ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026
PROMOTION OF ECO-TOURISM
†294. SMT. MAHIMA KUMARI MEWAR:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken any special initiatives to promote
eco-tourism across the country including Rajasthan while protecting
the environment;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the details of the efforts being made to promote tourism in areas like
Nathdwara, Rajsamand, Kudki etc. of Rajasthan?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (c): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and products,
including eco-tourism is undertaken by the respective State
Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration.
The Ministry of Tourism promotes India in a holistic manner, through
various initiatives. As part of on-going activities; promotion of eco-
tourism is also taken up. The Ministry of Tourism also regularly promotes
various tourism destinations including Rajasthan through its website and
social media promotions.
In order to position India as a preferred global destination for Eco
Tourism, Ministry of Tourism has formulated National Strategy for Eco
Tourism.
Following strategic pillars have been identified for the development
of Ecotourism:
(i) State Assessment and Ranking
(ii) State Strategy for Ecotourism(iii) IEC, Capacity Building and Certification
(iv) Marketing and Promotion
(v) Destination and Product Development
(vi) Public-Private and Community
(vii) Partnerships Governance and Institutional Framework
Ministry of Tourism has identified Eco Circuit as one of the thematic
circuits under its Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
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.
The details of the projects sanctioned under various schemes of the
Ministry in the State of Rajasthan is annexed.
******ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.†294 ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026 REGARDING PROMOTION
OF ECO-TOURISM RAISED BY SMT. MAHIMA KUMARI MEWAR
Details of Project sanctioned under various Schemes in the State of
Rajasthan:
Sr. Name of Project Amount
No. Sanctioned
(₹ in Crore)
A Swadesh Darshan 1.0
i. Development of Sambhar Lake Town and Other 50.01
Destinations in Jaipur District (September 2015)
ii. Integrated Development of Govind Dev ji temple 75.80
(Jaipur), Khatu Shyam Ji (Sikar) and Nathdwara
(Rajsamand) (September 2016)
iii. Development of Spiritual Circuit– 'Development of 87.05
Churu (Salasar Balaji)-
Jaipur (Shri Samodke Balaji, Ghatke Balaji, Bandheke
Balaji)- Viratnagar (Bijak, Jainnasiya, Ambika Temple)-
Bharatpur (Kaman Region)- Dholpur (Muchkund) -
Mehndipur Balaji- Chittorgarh (Sanwaliyaji) (March
2017)
iv. Development of Heritage Circuit Development of 70.61
Rajsamand (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) (June 2017)
Total Sanction Cost 283.47
B Swadesh Darshan 2.0
i. Spiritual Experience, Keshavraipatan (Feb 2024, 21.65
revised in June 2025)
ii. Development works at Shri Khatu Shyam Ji Temple 87.87
(Sikar) (March 2025)
iii. Development Works at Shri Karni Mata mandir, Bikaner 22.58
(July 2025)
iv. Development of Malaseri Dungri, Bhilwara District (July 48.73
2025)Total Sanction Cost 180.83
C PRASHAD
i. Integrated Development of Pushkar/Ajmer (revised in 32.64
September 2019)
Total Sanction Cost 32.64
D Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment
(SASCI)
i. Development at Amber-Nahargarh and Surrounding 49.31
Area (November 2024)
ii. Development at Jal Mahal (November 2024) 96.61
Total Sanction Cost 145.92
E Assistance to Central Agencies (ACA)
i. Development of Border Tourism at Shri Tanot Complex, 17.68
Jaisalmer Sector
ii. Installation of Musical Fountain & Water Screen 9.26
Multimedia based projection show at Nawal Sagar
Lake, Bundi
iii. Ajmer Railway Station 5.52
iv. Jaipur Railway Station 4.88
v. Chittorgarh Railway Station 4.99
Total Cost 42.33
Total Central Assistance 685.19
*********