MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. K. CHIRANJEEVI)
(a), (b) & (e): Eco-Tourism also known as “Green Tourism†is one of the
emerging segments of tourism industry in India. The development and
promotion of various tourism destinations and products including Eco
Tourism is primarily the responsibility of respective State
Government/Union Territory Administration. However, the Ministry of
Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance to various State
Governments/Union Territory Administrations for the tourism projects
including eco tourism projects prioritized in consultation with them
subject to availability of funds, inter-se priority and adherence of scheme
guidelines.
The Ministry of Tourism does not earmark separate budget for eco-
tourism projects. The details of Central Financial Assistance given by the
Ministry of Tourism during the last three years to various State
Governments/Union Territory Administrations for projects which primarily
focus on development of eco-tourism are given in Annexure.
(c) & (d): The Ministry of Tourism has not signed any Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) or made technological arrangements with other
countries to develop mechanisms to promote “Green Tourism†in India.
(f): The Ministry of Tourism promotes various tourism destinations and
products including Eco Tourism in a holistic manner, inter alia, through its
domestic and international campaigns. The Ministry also supports
seminars and events that focus on development and promotion of eco-
tourism from time to time as per the scheme guidelines. The Ministry of
Tourism has developed the Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India (STCI)
for the accommodation and the Tour Operators sectors. The STCI, inter
alia, stresses upon maximizing benefits to environment and minimizing
negative impact; reducing pollution; conservation of bio-diversity, eco-
systems and landscapes.
