Parliament Question: Sites under Amrit Dharohar Scheme

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.419 ANSWERED ON 02.04.2026 SITES UNDER AMRIT DHAROHAR SCHEME 419 SHRI R. DHARMAR: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) the objectives and key features of the Amrit Dharohar scheme; (b) the number of heritage sites and monuments identified under the scheme in Tamil Nadu so far; (c) the funds sanctioned, allocated and utilized for development, restoration and promotion of such sites; (d) the measures taken to improve infrastructure, accessibility and amenities for tourists visiting the heritage sites; (e) the steps being taken to promote awareness, digital documentation and cultural tourism under the scheme; and (f) the details of initiatives taken to involve local communities, promote sustainable tourism and enhance the economic benefits for regions hosting the heritage sites? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. ********STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.419 ANSWERED ON 02.04.2026 REGARDING SITES UNDER AMRIT DHAROHAR SCHEME RAISED BY SHRI R. DHARMAR (a) to (f): ‘Amrit Dharohar Scheme’ has not been formulated by the Ministry of Tourism. However, as per the information received from Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Amrit Dharohar is an initiative under the scheme of ‘National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA)’ launched in 2023 to promote the unique conservation values of Ramsar Sites. The key components are Species and Habitat Conservation, Nature Tourism, Wetlands Livelihoods and Wetlands Carbon Assessment. It has further been informed that based on the proposals received from States/UTs, the funding under this initiative is done through NPCA on cost sharing basis between the Centre and States (100% central share for UTs). A total amount of Rs.17.6674 Crores (central share) was released to the State Government of Tamil Nadu under NPCA during 2003-2020 for five wetlands (Kazuveli Kaliveli wetland, Kodaikanal lake, Ooty lake, Pallaikaranai wetland and Point Calimere wetland). The conservation and management activities undertaken in these wetlands include, habitat improvement, weed removal, eco-tourism, eco-development, awareness creation, plantation, survey & demarcation, R&D activities, improvement of interpretation centre, etc. While development of tourism destinations and products is primarily done by the concerned State Governments (SGs)/UT Administrations (UTAs), Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with MoEFCC, conducted training programme on Alternate Livelihood Programme (ALP) and Paryavaran Naavik Certificate (PNC) for total of 210 persons during 2023-24, the programme was conducted for 15 days each at five Ramsar sites (Sultanpur National Park Haryana, Yashwant Sagar Dam & Sirpur Lake, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Bhitarkanika Mangrov & Chilika Lake, Odisha). The convergence of the two Ministries aims at supporting the development of Nature Tourism at the Ramsar Sites for preserving and enhancing the local cultural and natural resources. The Ministry of Tourism complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development undertaken by the State Governments/UT Administrations, by providing them financial assistance under its relevant schemes such as ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD)’, ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’, an initiative under SD2.0 scheme, and ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ etc. This assistance is extended to SGs/UTAs on receipt of project proposals from them in line with the relevant scheme guidelines, Government directions, availability of funds, inter-se priority etc. The components considered for sanctioning under these schemes primarily pertain to those, which may increase tourist facilitation and provide enhanced tourism experience at the destinations. Further, under these schemes, Ministry ofTourism also encourages the SGs/UTAs to consult local communities, adopt sustainable tourism practices, digitization and create employment for local population. Government of India in 2024-25 sanctioned the projects ‘Development of Nandavanam Heritage Park in Mammallapuram’ for ₹99.67 Crore and ‘Eco Park at Race Course in Ooty’ for ₹70.23 Crore in the state of Tamil Nadu under its initiative for ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)-Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’. Considering the importance of Amrit Dharohar Sites, the Ministry of Tourism identified ‘Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites’ as a category for considering destinations under its CBDD initiative and sanctioned 08 projects under it. The details of the projects sanctioned under SD, SD2.0, CBDD and PRASHAD in the state of Tamil Nadu and projects under the category of ‘Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar sites’ in CBDD initiative in the country is annexed. ******ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.419 ANSWERED ON 02.04.2026 REGARDING SITES UNDER AMRIT DHAROHAR SCHEME RAISED BY SHRI R. DHARMAR Details of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, CBDD & PRASHAD schemes in the state of Tamil Nadu. S. Scheme Name of the Project Year of Sanction No. Sanction Amount (₹ in Crore) 1. SD Development of (Chennai- Mamamallapuram – 2016-17 73.13 Rameshwaram – Manpadu – Kanyakumari) 2. SD2.0 Immersive experience at Shore Temple, 2023-24 30.02 Mamallapuram 3. CBDD Iconic transformation of Rameswaram 2024-25 20.01 4. Development of Kanchipuram 2016-17 13.99 5. PRASHAD Development of Velankanni 2016-17 4.86 6. Development of 8 Navagraha Temples 2024-25 40.94 Details of the projects sanctioned under CBDD in Eco-tourism and Amrit Darohar sites category in India: S. State Destination Name of the Experience Sanctioned Sanctioned No. Year Cost (in ₹ Crore) 1. Arunachal Bichom Dam Bichom Dam Adventure & Eco- 2024-25 9.90 Pradesh Site Tourism Project 2. Assam Sivasagar Panidhing Bird Sanctuary 2024-25 9.99 3. Chhattisgarh M ayaliBagicha Development of MayaliBagicha 2024-25 9.97 as Eco Tourism Destination 4. Goa Mayem Beautification and Development 2024-25 9.81 V illage of Harvalem Waterfall 5. Gujarat T hol Village THOL: Transformative Tourism, 2024-25 9.96 Harmonious Sustainability, Optimized Skilling, Leading Technology 6. Ladakh Mushkoo Advancing Mushkoo as a 2024-25 9.78 V illage Sustainable Tourism Hub: Integrating Wildlife Sightings and Community Progress 7. Nagaland Doyang Wings Over Doyang: An Eco- 2024-25 9.99 Reservoir Tourism Haven 8. Telangana Kamareddy Development of Eco-Tourism 2024-25 9.98 (Kalki Project at Nizam Sagar Cheruvu) Total 79.38 *****