Question : ECO TOURISM POLICY

(a) whether some of the State Governments has evinced interest in evolving Eco-tourism policy and setting up of Eco-tourism Boards;

(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the name of such States along with the progress made in this regard;

(c) whether the Government has developed the concept of Eco- tourism districts in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the districts identified in this regard; and

(e) the mechanism available with the Union Government to oversee the implementation of the projects and utilisation of funds by the State Governments under Central Financial Assistance for Eco- tourism Projects?

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI SUBODH KANT SAHAI)

(a): Development, promotion and implementation of tourism projects including eco–tourism, are primarily the responsibility of the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. The Ministry of Tourism, however, provides Central Financial Assistance

(CFA) for tourism projects including Eco-tourism projects, identified in consultation with them, subject to availability of funds, inter-se-priority under its various schemes as per the guidelines.

(b): Some of the States like Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have developed their own Eco-tourism policies. Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim and Karnataka have their own Eco- tourism Development Boards.

(c): The Ministry of Tourism has not developed the concept of Eco- tourism districts in the country.

(d): Does not arise

(e): The State Level Monitoring Committees constituted by different States/Union Territories monitor implementation of the tourism projects, including Eco-tourism. The Ministry of Tourism also monitors implementation of tourism projects including Eco-tourism through field inspections conducted by its officers, review meetings with officers of the State Governments/UT Administrations and Regional Conferences of Tourism Ministers.