New Delhi: To promote and develop environmental and sustainable tourism across the country, the Ministry of Tourism has prepared national strategies. Under which tourism businesses will be encouraged to adopt sustainable tourism practices, travel under a lifestyle for the environment. The ministry will also provide financial assistance to state governments, union territories and central agencies.
Giving information about eco and sustainable tourism, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that the ministry provides financial assistance to state governments, union territories and central agencies for the development of tourism related infrastructure in the country under its schemes. Eco circuit has been identified as a thematic circuit under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.
The Union Tourism Minister said, with the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism, the state governments and union territory 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 some form or the other.
The Minister said that the Ministry is supplementing the efforts for development of tourism infrastructure at tourist destinations across the country by providing financial assistance to State Governments and Union Territories through its Central Sector Schemes ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD)’, ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’ – a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan and ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASAD)’ schemes, subject to availability of funds, adherence to scheme guidelines and submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) by the State Governments.
Additionally, the Government has also provided financial assistance to States for development of tourism projects under its ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)’ initiative. The projects are identified on the basis of project proposals submitted by the respective State Governments, their alignment with the guidelines, availability of budget, mutual priority and institutional framework created for the purpose.
According to Lok Sabha data, the Union Budget for the year 2025-26 mentions that the top 50 tourist destinations of the country will be developed through the challenge mode in partnership with the states. Land for the construction of major infrastructure will have to be made available by the states. Hotels at these destinations will be included in the Infrastructure Harmonized Master List (HML). Consultations have been held with state governments, union territories and other stakeholders regarding the criteria. The following projects were approved under CBDD:
Andhra Pradesh (Enriching Buddhist Heritage and Cultural Experiences at Ahobalam-A Spiritual Odyssey, Nagarjuna Sagar)
Arunachal Pradesh (Bichom Dam Adventure and Eco-tourism Project, Kibhito Frontier Tourism-Gateway to Serenity)
Assam (Panidhing Bird Sanctuary, Shiv Sagar)
Bihar (Development of Tourist Amenities at Sonepur Mela Ground, Saran)
Chhattisgarh (Development of Mayali Garden as an Eco-tourism Destination)
Goa (Harvalem Waterfall at Mayem Village)
Gujarat (Sharmishtha Lake, Harsiddhi Beach, Porbandar)
Himachal Pradesh (Kaza, Raksham, Chitkul)
Jharkhand (Ramrekha Dham, Simdega)
Kerala (Thalassery-The Spiritual Nexus, Varkala-Dakshin Kashi)
Ladakh (Development of Mushkoh as a Sustainable Tourism Hub Moving Forward: Integrating Wildlife) Singtings)
Madhya Pradesh (Medieval Splendour 2.0, Orchha)
Maharashtra (Ahmednagar Fort)
Manipur (Development of Langthabal Konug, Ancient Capital of Manipur)
Meghalaya (Mawphlang Cultural and Heritage Centre, Nartiang Spiritual and Cultural Centre)
Nagaland (Soulful Trails: Impur Heritage Experience, Impur Village, Doyang: An Eco-Tourism Haven’ Doyang Reservoir)
“The projects sanctioned under various schemes of the Ministry of Tourism include both green field and brown field projects and have all India representation to ensure balanced regional development of tourism infrastructure including prevention of over-tourism,” Union Minister Shekhawat told the Lok Sabha.
What is Sustainable Tourism: Eco and Sustainable Tourism means developing tourism without harming the environment and benefiting local communities. It aims to protect natural and cultural resources for future generations.
