MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) & (b): (i) Formulation of project under tourism sector including that to maintain cleanliness at tourist spots across the country is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to them for such tourism projects subject to receipt of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), adherence of existing scheme guidelines, availability of funds and liquidation of utilisation certificates for funds released earlier.
(ii) As far as centrally protected monuments under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is concerned an initiative has been launched to clean all monument premises and ensure:-
* no garbage can be seen in the premises;
* to provide adequate amenities for visitors and to ensure that no litter is thrown inside monuments;
* to sensitize visitors as well as staff in maintaining monuments clean; and to provide waste management system.
The Campaign is followed for all centrally protected monuments in the country so that they are maintained in a good state of preservation and cleanliness. In addition to conservation, preservation, maintenance and development of environs of centrally protected monuments, creation of tourist related amenities (e.g. drinking water, toilet blocks, facilities for physically challenged, pathways, cultural notice boards/signage, vehicle parking, cloak rooms, etc.) at the centrally protected monuments/sites are the regular activities which the ASI undertakes as per needs and availability of resources. Other step taken by ASI in this regard includes cultural awareness programs on various occasions organized by ASI. The expenditure for cleanliness and day to day maintenance of monuments is met out from regular budget of ASI and no separate funds are allotted. The fund allocated and expenditure incurred on conservation, preservation and maintenance including cleaning of monuments of National importance in the country during year 2014-15 and 2015-16 is Rs.23551.95 lakhs and Rs.23861.24 lakhs respectively.
(c): (i) Government has plan to clean 100 iconic sites in India. On pilot basis 10 iconic places, including 1 from Rajasthan (Ajmer Sharif), have been identified to be cleaned up in 1st Phase. All the Stakeholders, who are responsible for upkeep of these iconic place, that includes the Local Administration, Tourism Department, Archaeological Survey of India etc. have been advised to prepare their plan along with expenditure to be incurred and sources/schemes from where the funds are to be dovetailed. In a workshop held on 8-9th July, 2016 the Technical Experts from World Banks were called to provide support in preparing the proposed Action Plan. The work is likely to start after the monsoon is over.
(ii) In order to create awareness about cleanliness and to discourage littering at tourist destinations, the Ministry of Tourism has launched the “Swachh Paryatan Mobile App” at 25 selected ASI monuments across the country in the first phase. Through this App, the visitors can take photographs of unclean areas and garbage and upload the same for removal by the concerned authorities, i.e. the Nodal Officers for the monuments.
(iii) All State Governments/UT Administrations have been advised to launch special cleaning and sensitisation drives at their tourist destinations and all eateries. They have also been instructed to print the Swachh Bharat Mission logo and messages on the back of the entry tickets for all tourist places.
(d): Yes, Madam. The State/UT-wise list of tourist places identified in the country is at annexure.
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