**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Ministry of Tourism's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3468, answered on August 11, 2025, regarding the Swadesh Darshan Scheme within the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PMJUGA). The scheme aims to promote tourism in tribal areas by developing homestays, thereby fostering responsible tourism and improving livelihood opportunities for tribal communities. The initiative includes guidelines and templates for State Governments and UT Administrations to formulate proposals and focuses on the technical upskilling and training of homestay owners. As of the date of the response, no funds have been released under the scheme. The document also addresses specific queries concerning the number of homestays constructed/renovated, tourist footfall (domestic and international), and development in tribal-dominated regions of Andhra Pradesh (Alluri Sitarama Raju and Parvathipuram Manyam districts). The Minister of Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, provided the response.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and policies relating to the development and promotion of tourism in India.
Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan: An initiative (PMJUGA) aimed at the holistic development of tribal villages, including tourism promotion and livelihood enhancement.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme: A scheme to develop theme-based tourist circuits in India.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Tourism.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India, specifically mentioned in relation to the development of homestays in tribal-dominated regions.
Alluri Sitarama Raju district: A district in Andhra Pradesh known for its tribal population, where homestay development is being considered.
Parvathipuram Manyam district: A district in Andhra Pradesh known for its tribal population, where homestay development is being considered.
Shahdol district: A district in Madhya Pradesh, mentioned in the context of homestay construction/renovation under the scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3468
ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
SDS UNDER PRADHAN MANTRI JANJATIYA UNNAT GRAM ABHIYAN
3468. SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU:
SHRI VISHWESHWAR HEGDE KAGERI:
SHRI CHINTAMANI MAHARAJ:
SHRI BHOJRAJ NAG:
SHRI MUKESH RAJPUT:
SHRI P P CHAUDHARY:
SMT. HIMADRI SINGH:
DR. RAJESH MISHRA:
SHRI CHHATRAPAL SINGH GANGWAR:
SHRI GODAM NAGESH:
SHRI NABA CHARAN MAJHI:
SHRI SUKANTA KUMAR PANIGRAHI:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the current status of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme as part of the
Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan, including its
objectives and implementation progress;
(b) the details of the total number of homestays constructed/renovated
under the scheme, State/UT-wise including district-wise in Shahdol,
Sidhi, Pali and Kandhmal Lok Sabha Constituencies;
(c) the details of the number of domestic and international tourists
availed of these homestay facilities across the country including the
said constituencies since the inception of the scheme;
(d) whether any homestays have been developed in tribal-dominated
regions of Andhra Pradesh, such as Alluri Sitarama Raju or
Parvathipuram Manyam districts; and
(e) if so, the details thereof along with the tourist footfall recorded,
district-wise?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (e): With the aim to promote tourism in tribal areas, the Ministry of
Tourism has issued guidelines along with template for formulation ofproposals by State Governments and UT Administrations for 'Development
of Homestays in Tribal Areas' under Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram
Abhiyan (PM-JUGA).
The objective of the initiative is to develop homestays in tribal areas to
promote responsible tourism and enhance livelihood opportunities for tribal
communities. The guidelines also focus on technical upskilling and training
of the Homestay owners.
No funds has been released under the scheme so far.
*****