**Summary:**
The Ministry of Tourism is actively promoting ecotourism and sustainable tourism in India through various initiatives. This includes the formulation of National Strategies for Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism and the launch of the "Travel for LiFE" program, aimed at encouraging sustainable tourism practices among tourists and businesses. The Ministry provides financial assistance to State Governments, Union Territory Administrations, and Central Agencies for developing tourism infrastructure. The "Eco Circuit" has been identified as a thematic circuit under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. Furthermore, with the Ministry's efforts, tourist police have been deployed in Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, and Uttar Pradesh. This information was provided by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha. For further information, contact Sunil Kumar Tiwari at tourism4pibatgmaildotcom. Release ID: 2149244.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian government ministry responsible for the promotion of tourism in India.
Ecotourism: Tourism directed toward exotic, often threatened, natural environments, intended to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife.
Sustainable Tourism: Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.
Travel for LiFE: A programme initiated by the Ministry of Tourism to promote sustainable tourism practices in India.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme: A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism to develop thematic tourism circuits in India. Eco Circuit is part of this scheme.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, mentioned in the context of providing information to the Lok Sabha.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the information was provided.
Andhra Pradesh: One of the State Governments that have deployed tourist police.
Ministry of Tourism
Promotion of Green and Eco-Tourism
Posted On: 28 JUL 2025 3:25PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Tourism promotes India in a holistic manner, through various initiatives. As part of on-going
activities; promotion of Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism is also taken up. In order to provide impetus for
development of Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism in the country, Ministry of Tourism formulated National
Strategies for Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism and initiated Travel for LiFE programme to promote
sustainable tourism in the country and to encourage the tourists and tourism businesses to adopt sustainable
tourism practices.
The Ministry of Tourism provides financial assistance to State Governments/Union Territory
Administrations/Central Agencies for the development of tourism related infrastructure in the
country under its schemes. The Ministry has identified Eco Circuit as one of the thematic circuits
under its Swadesh Darshan Scheme. With the efforts of Ministry of Tourism, the State
Governments/UT Administrations of Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra,
Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim and
Uttar Pradesh have deployed tourist police in one form or the other.
This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh
Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
****
Sunil Kumar Tiwari
tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com
(Release ID: 2149244)