(a) the details of the expenditure incurred by the Government for conservation of National Parks during each of the last three years, State/UT-wise;
(b) the amount of revenue earned from National Parks through tourism during the said period, State/UT and year-wise; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to protect and conserve National Parks and promote tourism in such parks in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)
(a) The details of financial assistance provided by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to States/UTs under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme, which includes Development of Wildlife Habitats, Project Tiger and Project Elephant, during the last three years, for conservation and management of wildlife including in the National Parks, is at Annexure-1a, 1b and 1c.
(b) Management of National Parks including for eco-tourism activities is primarily the mandate of the respective State Government /Union Territory Administration. The State/UT wise details of revenue earned from National Parks through eco-tourism is not collated at the level of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
(c) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change provides financial assistance to the States/UTs under the Centrally Sponsored schemes - Development of Wildlife Habitats, Project Tiger and Project Elephant, for protection, conservation and management of wildlife including in the National Parks. Concerned States/UTs prepare Management Plans for management of Protected Areas which also incorporates eco-tourism, ensuring better conservation and protection of wildlife. The National Tiger Conservation Authority has issued guidelines, namely, ‘The National Tiger Conservation Authority (Normative Standards for Tourism Activities and Project Tiger) Guidelines, 2012’ with respect to eco-tourism.
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