Question : ALLOCATION FOR PROMOTION OF ECO-TOURISM

(a) whether there was any plan allocation of the Forest Department of A&N Administration during Eighth, Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh Plan for promotion of Eco-Tourism and Medicinal Plants in A&N Islands;

(b) if so, the year-wise actual physical and financial achievements during the above period;

(c) the total amount surrendered during the above-said period;

(d) the name of Eco-Tourism places where tourist visited along with their numbers; and

(e) the employment generated as a result thereof/income of farmers through the medicinal plants for the above plan years?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)

(a),(b) & (c) As per the information received from the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, there was Plan Allocation to the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Forest Department for promotion of Eco-tourism during 10th and 11th Five Year Plan. However, there was no allotment during 8th and 9th Five Year Plan for Eco-tourism. The details of year – wise financial achievement under Scheme “Eco-Tourism” are in the Annexure.

Further, there was no plan allocation for promotion of medicinal plants to the Forest Department in the Union Territory during 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th Five Year Plan periods. No amount has been surrendered during this period.

(d) The Eco-Tourism sites visited by the tourists are:
i. Chatham Saw Mill
ii. Wandoor Beach
iii. Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
iv. Chidiyatupu
v. Mount Harriet
vi. Limestone Caves
vii. Mud Volcano
viii. Yerrata
ix. Amkunj Beach
x. Curt Burt Bay Beach
xi. Karmatang Beach
xii. Ross and Smith Islands
xiii. Ramnagar Beach
xiv. Radhanagar Beach

The total number of tourists during the year 2008 and 2009 were 1,83,466 and 2,21,900 respectively.

(e) Does not arise in view of (a) above.