Question : Impact of NGT Decisions on Tourism Industry

(a) whether the Government has planned to encourage tourism in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the State-wise data of Tourists inflow of domestic/religious/foreign tourists during 2015 to 2018;
(c) whether the Government has any specific plan to encourage tourism in hilly areas especially in Himachal Pradesh;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether it is true that due to certain directions/decisions by National Green Tribunal (NGT) the tourism industry especially in hilly areas has been effected; and
(f) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SHRI K.J. ALPHONS)

(a) to (d): The development and promotion of tourist sites/destinations is primarily the responsibility of the concerned State Government/Union Territory Administration. However, the Ministry of Tourism undertakes various activities for promoting India as a holistic destination in the international as well as domestic markets and for the development of tourism in the country.

Ministry of Tourism provides financial assistance to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations under the Swadesh Darshan and National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Schemes for the development of tourism infrastructure in the country.

Under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, the Ministry is developing theme based tourist circuits and under PRASHAD Scheme is undertaking holistic development of identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations in the country including the hilly areas.

Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned one project namely, ‘Integrated Development of Himalayan Circuit in Himachal Pradesh’ under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme for an amount of Rs.99.76 Crore during 2016-17.

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has prepared a ‘Policy on Ecotourism in Forest and Wildlife areas’ with the main objective of adopting low impact nature tourism which ensures ecological integrity, through engaging local communities. The emphasis of the eco-tourism policy is on Community participation. People living in and around Protected Areas and other forest areas are to be involved in eco-tourism activities, through imparting necessary skills, including through ‘Green Skill Development’, which would eventually enable the people to earn their livelihood from eco-tourism activities.

The State-wise data of both Domestic Tourist Visits (DTVs) and Foreign Tourist Visits (FTVs) during 2015 to 2017 is given at Annexure.

(e) and (f): The MoEFCC is not aware of any such reports in this regard.

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