Parliament Question: Promotion of local culture and cuisine of Himachal Pradesh

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.4467# ANSWERED ON 02.04.2026 PROMOTION OF LOCAL CULTURE AND CUISINE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH 4467# MS. INDU BALA GOSWAMI: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) whether the Ministry has identified new centers in Himachal Pradesh to promote local culture and cuisine; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether any specific budgetary provisions has been made to promote eco-tourism in the State; and (d) if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (d): The Ministry of Tourism promotes diverse tourist destinations and experiences in the country including in Himachal Pradesh through various initiatives. The promotion is carried out through organizing and participation in events, providing assistance to State Governments for organizing fairs and festivals, and outreach through website and social media etc. Further, the Ministry of Tourism, provides financial assistance to State Governments (SG) / Union Territory (UT) Administrations to develop new and existing tourist destinations, through its central sector schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’ and ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) on the basis of Scheme Guidelines, receipt of the project proposals from the concerned State Government/Union Territory Administrations, availability of funds etc. The details of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan, Swadesh Darshan 2.0 & CBDD schemes in the state of Himachal Pradesh, including eco-tourism projects, are given below: S. Scheme Name of the Project Year of Sanction Amount No. Sanction (Rs. in Crore) 1 SD Development of Himalayan Circuit: Kiarighat, 2016-17 68.34 Shimla, Hatkoti, Manali, Kangra, Dharamshala, Bir, Palampur, Chamba 2 SD2.0 Development of Maa Chintpurni Devi Temple, 2025-26 56.26 Una 3 CBDD Kaza under Culture & Heritage 2024-25 24.82 Tourism Infrastructure Development at 2024-25 4.96 Rakcham - Vibrant Village *******