Parliament Question: Promotion of Eco-tourism in Assam

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4103 ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025 PROMOTION OF ECO-TOURISM IN ASSAM 4103. SHRI AMARSING TISSO: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is promoting eco-tourism as a sustainable livelihood model in ecologically sensitive and tribal areas; (b) the details of the number of eco-tourism circuits or parks developed or planned; and (c) whether the Government has any plan to promote nature-based tourism in the hill districts of Assam like Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (c): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and tourism products is primarily undertaken by the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. However, the Ministry of Tourism through its central sector schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD)’, ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’ –a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan, ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies (ACA) for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ schemes complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations/Central Agencies; subject to adherence to scheme guidelines, submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), availability of funds, inter-se priority etc. In addition, Government of India under its initiative for ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)’ has also provided financial assistance to the States for development of tourism projects.The Ministry of Tourism under the above-mentioned schemes encourages adoption of principles of sustainable tourism, community participation, etc. A variety of works such as development of nature trails, loghuts, cafeteria, interpretation centers, shelters, parking, last mile connectivity etc. are approved under sanctioned projects depending on its nature. Under the SD Scheme, launched in 2014–15, 15 thematic circuits were identified for development. Among them, the eco-tourism Circuit was one of the key theme. The details of the circuit sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme including Eco-Circuit is annexed. 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. Ministry of Tourism revamped the Swadesh Darshan scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations in the country, adopting a destination- and tourist-centric approach in place of the earlier circuit-based framework. Sanctioning of projects is a continuous process. No proposal for development of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao presently enlisted for consideration by the Ministry of Tourism under aforesaid schemes. *********ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4103 ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025 REGARDING PROMOTION OF ECO-TOURISM IN ASSAM RAISED BY SHRI AMARSING TISSO 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-Ross 27.57 Nicobar Circuit Smith Island- Neil Island- Havelock Islands 2016-17 Island- Baratang Island-Port Blair 2. A ndhra Coastal Development of Kakinada - Hope 67.83 Pradesh Circuit Island - Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary 2014-15 - Passarlapudi - Aduru - S Yanam – Kotipally 3. A ndhra Coastal Development of Nellore - Pulikat 49.55 Pradesh Circuit Lake - Ubblamadugu Water Falls – 2015-16 Nelapattu- Kothakoduru- Mypadu - Ramateertham – Iskapalli 4. A ndhra Buddhist Development of Buddhist Circuit: 35.24 Pradesh Circuit Shalihundam- Bavikonda- 2017-18 Bojjanakonda -Amravati- Anupu 5. A runachal North- Development of Bhalukpong- 49.77 Pradesh East Bomdila and Tawang Circuit 2014-15 6. A runachal North Development of Nafra- Seppa- 96.72 Pradesh East Pappu, Pasa, Pakke Valleys- Circuit Sangdupota- New Sagalee- Ziro- 2015-16 Yomcha 7. A ssam Wildlife Development of Manas– Probitora– 94.68 Circuit Nameri– Kaziranga– Dibru– 2015-16 Saikhowa8. A ssam Heritage Development of Tezpur – Majuli – 90.98 Circuit Sibsagar 2016-17 9. B ihar Tirthankar Development of Vaishali- Arrah- 33.96 Circuit Masad- Patna- Rajgir- Pawapuri- 2016-17 Champapuri 10. B ihar Spiritual Development of Kanwaria Route: 44.76 Circuit Sultanganj – Dharmshala- Deoghar 2016-17 11. B ihar Buddhist Development of Buddhist circuit- 95.18 Circuit Construction of Convention Centre 2016-17 at Bodhgaya 12. B ihar Rural Development of Bhitiharwa- 44.27 Circuit Chandrahia- Turkaulia 2017-18 13. B ihar Spiritual Development of Mandar Hill & Ang 44.55 Circuit Pradesh 2017-18 14. C hhattisgarh Tribal Development of Jashpur- Kunkuri- 96.10 Circuit Mainpat- Kamleshpur - Maheshpur 2015-16 -Kurdar - Sarodhadadar- Gangrel- Kondagaon– Nathiyanawagaon- Jagdalpur- Chitrakoot- Tirthgarh 15. G oa Coastal Development of Sinquerim-Baga, 97.65 Circuit Anjuna-Vagator, Morjim-Keri, 2016-17 Aguada Fort and Aguada Jail 16. G oa Coastal Development of Coastal Circuit II: 99.35 Circuit Rua De Orum Creek - Dona Paula - 2017-18 Colva - Benaulim 17. G ujarat Heritage Development of Ahmedabad- 59.17 Circuit Rajkot- Porbandar –Bardoli- Dandi 2016-17 18. G ujarat Heritage Development of Vadnagar- 91.12 Circuit Modhera 2016-1719. G ujarat Buddhist Development of Junagadh- Gir 26.68 Circuit Somnath- Bharuch-Kutch- 2017-18 Bhavnagar- Rajkot- Mehsana 20. H aryana Krishna Development of Tourism 77.39 Circuit Infrastructures at places related 2016-17 to Mahabharata in Kurukshetra 21. H imachal Himalayan Development of Himalayan Circuit: 68.34 Pradesh Circuit Kiarighat, Shimla, Hatkoti, Manali, 2016-17 Kangra, Dharamshala, Bir, Palampur, Chamba 22. Ja mmu & Himalayan Development of Jammu-Srinagar- 77.33 Kashmir Circuit Pahalgam-Bhagwati Nagar- 2016-17 Anantnag-Salamabad Uri-Kargil- Leh 23. Ja mmu & Himalayan Development of Tourist Facilities 81.60 Kashmir Circuit at Jammu-Rajouri-Shopian- 2016-17 Pulwama. 24. Ja mmu & Himalayan Development of Tourist Facilities - 90.43 Kashmir Circuit Construction of Assets in lieu of 2016-17 those Destroyed in Floods in 2014 under PM Development Package 25. Ja mmu & Himalayan Development of Tourist facilities 91.99 Kashmir Circuit at Mantalai and Sudhmahadev 2016-17 26. Ja mmu & Himalayan Development of Tourist facilities 86.39 Kashmir Circuit at Anantnag-Pulwama-Kishtwar- 2016-17 Pahalgam-Zanskar Padum - Daksum - Ranjit Sagar Dam 27. Ja mmu & Himalayan Development of Tourist Facilities 91.84 Kashmir Circuit at Gulmarg-Baramulla- Kupwara- 2016-17 Kargil - Leh 28. Jh arkhand Eco Development of Eco Tourism 30.44 Circuit circuit: Dalma- Betla National 2018-19 park- Mirchaiya- Netarhat 29. K erala Eco Development of Pathanamthitta- 64.08Circuit Gavi- Vagamon- Thekkady 2015-16 30. K erala Spiritual Development of Sabarimala - 46.54 Circuit Erumeli-Pampa-Sannidhanam 2016-17 31. K erala Spiritual Development of Sree Padmanabha 78.08 Circuit Arnamula 2016-17 32. K erala Rural Development of Malanad Malabar 57.35 Circuit Cruise Tourism Project 2018-19 33. K erala Spiritual Development Sivagiri Sree 66.42 Circuit Narayana Guru Ashram- 2018-19 Arruvipuram- Kunnumpara Sree Subrahmania- Chembazhanthi Sree Narayana Gurukulam 34. M adhya Wildlife Development of Wildlife Circuit at 92.10 Pradesh Circuit Panna- Mukundpur- Sanjay- Dubri- 2015-16 Bandhavgarh- Kanha- Mukki- Pench 35. M adhya Buddhist Development of Sanchi-Satna- 74.02 Pradesh Circuit Rewa-Mandsaur-Dhar 2016-17 36. M adhya Heritage Development of Gwalior – Orchha – 89.82 Pradesh Circuit Khajuraho – Chanderi – Bhimbetka 2016-17 – Mandu 37. M adhya Eco Development of Gandhisagar Dam- 93.76 Pradesh Circuit Mandleshwar Dam- Omkareshwar 2017-18 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), Mitbhav39. M aharashtra Spiritual Development of Waki- Adasa- 45.47 Circuit Dhapewada- Paradsingha- 2018-19 Telankhandi- Girad 40. M anipur North- Development of Tourist Circuit in 72.23 East Manipur: Imphal- Khongjom Circuit 2015-16 41. M anipur Spiritual Development of Shri Govindajee 45.34 Circuit Temple, Shri Bijoy Govindajee 2016-17 Temple – Shri Gopinath Temple – Shri Bungshibodon Temple – Shri Kaina Temple 42. M eghalaya North Development of Umium (Lake 99.13 East View), U Lum Sohpetbneng- Circuit Mawdiangdiang – Orchid Lake 2016-17 Resort 43. M eghalaya North Development of West Khasi Hills 84.97 East (Nongkhlaw- KremTirot – Khudoi & Circuit Kohmang Falls – Khri River- 2018-19 Mawthadraishan, Shillong), Jaintia Hills (Krang Suri Falls- Shyrmang- Iooksi), Garo Hills (Nokrek Reserve, Katta Beel, Siju Caves) 44. M izoram North Development of Thenzawl & South 92.26 East Zote, District Serchhip and Reiek. Circuit 2015-16 45. M izoram Eco Development of Eco-Adventure 66.37 Circuit Circuit Aizawl -Rawpuichhip – 2016-17 Khawhphawp – Lengpui – Chatlang- Sakawrhmuituaitlang - Muthee – Beratlawng -Tuirial Airfield – Hmuifang 46. N agaland Tribal Development of Tribal Circuit 97.36 Circuit Peren- Kohima- Wokha 2015-1647. N agaland Tribal Development of Mokokchung- 98.14 Circuit Tuensang-Mon 2016-17 48. O disha Coastal Development of Gopalpur, Barkul, 70.82 Circuit Satapada and Tampara 2016-17 49. Pu ducherry Coastal Development of Dubrayapet – 58.44 Circuit Arikamedu – Veerampattinam – 2015-16 Chunnambar - Nallavadu/Narambai - Manapet- Kalapet - Puducherry - Yanam 50. Pu ducherry Heritage Development of Franco- Tamil 49.44 Circuit Village, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam 2017-18 51. Pu ducherry Spiritual Development 34.96 Circuit of Spiritual Circuit in 2017-18 Puducherry 52. Pu njab Heritage Development of Anandpur Sahib - 85.32 Circuit Fatehgarh Sahib - Chamkaur Sahib 2018-19 - Ferozpur - Khatkar Kalan – Kalanour - Patiala 53. R ajasthan Desert Development of Sambhar Lake 50.01 Circuit Town and Other Destinations 2015-16 54. R ajasthan Krishna Development of Govind Dev ji 75.80 Circuit temple (Jaipur), Khatu Shyam Ji 2016-17 (Sikar) and Nathdwara (Rajsamand) 55. R ajasthan Spiritual Development of Spiritual Circuit– 87.05 Circuit 'Development of Churu (Salasar 2016-17 Balaji)-Jaipur (Shri Samodke Balaji, Ghatke Balaji, Bandheke Balaji)- Viratnagar (Bijak, Jainnasiya, Ambika Temple)- Bharatpur (Kaman Region)- Dholpur (Muchkund) - MehndipurBalaji- Chittorgarh (Sanwaliyaji) 56. R ajasthan 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. Si kkim 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. Si kkim North Development of Tourist Circuit 95.32 East Linking Singtam– Maka- Temi- Circuit BermoikTokel- Phongia- Namchi – 2016-17 Jorthang- Okharey- Sombaria- Daramdin- Jorethang- Melli (Exit) 59. Ta mil Nadu Coastal Development of (Chennai- 73.13 Circuit Mamamallapuram – Rameshwaram 2016-17 – Manpadu – Kanyakumari) 60. Te langana Eco Development of Eco Tourism 91.62 Circuit Circuit in Mahaboobnagar district 2015-16 61. Te langana Tribal Development of Mulugu- 79.87 Circuit Laknavaram- Medavaram- Tadvai- 2016-17 Damaravi- Mallur- BogathaWaterfalls 62. Te langana Heritage Development of Qutub Shahi 96.90 Circuit Heritage Park- Paigah Tombs- 2017-18 Hayat Bakshi Mosque- Raymond's Tomb 63. Tr ipura North Development of Agartala - 82.85 East Sipahijala - Melaghar - Udaipur - Circuit Amarpur- Tirthamukh- Mandirghat– 2015-16 Dumboor- NarikelKunja- Gandachara– Ambassa 64. Tr ipura North Development of Surma Cherra- 44.83 East Unakoti- Jampui Hills- Gunabati - Circuit Bhunaneshwari- Neermahal- 2018-19 Boxanagar- Chottakhola- Pilak- Avangchaarra 65. U ttar Buddhist Development of Srawasti, 87.89 Pradesh Circuit Kushinagar, & Kapilwastu 2016-17 66. U ttar Ramayana Development of Chitrakoot and 69.45 Pradesh Circuit Shringverpur 2016-17 67. U ttar 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. U ttar 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. U ttar Heritage Development of Kalinjar Fort 36.65 Pradesh Circuit (Banda)- Maghar Dham (Sant Kabir2016-17 Nagar)- Chauri Chaura, Shaheed Sthal (Fatehpur)- Mahuar shaheed Sthal (Ghosi)- Shaheed Smarak (Meerut) 70. U ttar Ramayana Development of Ayodhya 127.21 Pradesh Circuit 2017-18 71. U ttar Spiritual Development of Jewar-Dadri- 12.03 Pradesh Circuit Sikandrabad-Noida-Khurja-Banda 2018-19 72. U ttar 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 Kumaon Region 2016-17 - 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 *****