Parliament Question: Promotion of wildlife and forest tourism

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.140 ANSWERED ON 29.01.2026 PROMOTION OF WILDLIFE AND FOREST TOURISM 140 SMT. PHULO DEVI NETAM: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) whether there is a huge potential available for wildlife and forest tourism in the country particularly in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh; (b) if so, the steps taken to tap the tourism potential across various States of the country including the Bastar region of the State; and (c) the measures proposed/implemented to promote Bastar region as a major destination for ecotourism to explore wildlife and forest tourism? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (c): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, including eco- tourism and wildlife tourism is undertaken by the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. The Ministry of Tourism through its central sector schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan, ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development ’extends financial assistance to the State Government/ UT Administrations for tourism infrastructure development in the country. The central financial assistance is being extended according to guidelines and based on proposals / detailed project reports received from the States and UT Governments. The details of projects sanction in the State of Chhattisgarh are given at Annexure. 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. Environmental Sustainability is a key pillar in the National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism formulated by the Ministry and circulated to the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. In line with the strategy, Travel for LiFE programme was initiated to encourage tourists and tourism businesses to adopt sustainable tourism practices . ******ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.140 ANSWERED ON 29.01.2026 REGARDING PROMOTION OF WILDLIFE AND FOREST TOURISM RAISED BY SMT. PHULO DEVI NETAM Projects sanctioned under various schemes of the Ministry of Tourism in the State of Chhattisgarh: S. Name of Project Sanction Cost No. (₹ in Crore) A Swadesh Darshan 1.0 i. Development of Jashpur- Kunkuri- Mainpat- Kamleshpur - 96.10 Maheshpur -Kurdar - Sarodhadadar- Gangrel- Kondagaon– Nathiyanawagaon- Jagdalpur- Chitrakoot- Tirthgarh Total Sanction Cost 96.10 B Swadesh Darshan 2.0 i. Bhoramdev Corridor Development, Kawardha 145.99 Total Sanction Cost 145.99 C Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Development of Mayali Bagicha as Eco Tourism Destination 9.96 i. Total Sanction Cost 9.96 D PRASHAD i. Development of Maa Bamleshwari Devi Temple, Dongargarh, 48.44 Rajnandgaon District, Chhattisgarh Total Sanction Cost 48.44 E Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) i. Development of Chitrotpala Film City 95.79 ii. Development of Tribal & Cultural Convention Centre 51.87 Total Sanction Cost 147.66 Total Central Assistance 448.15 ********