Question : Promotion of Rural Tourism

(a) whether the Government has received proposals from the various State Governments to promote rural tourism in their respective States;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the status of the proposals, State/UT-wise including Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra;
(c) the details of the schemes for promotion of rural tourism in the country and the criteria to set up rural tourist sites along with the reformative steps taken/being taken by the Government to promote rural tourism;
(d) the funds allocated and expenditure incurred on such schemes during the last three years; and
(e) whether the Government has identified sites and has set up tourist centres during the last three years and the current year, if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) to (c): For the development of tourism infrastructure in the country, the Ministry of Tourism has launched Swadesh Darshan scheme - Integrated Development of Theme-Based Tourist Circuits in 2014-15. Rural Circuit has been identified as one of the thirteen thematic Circuits for development under the scheme.

The State Government of Kerala has submitted a proposal ‘Nila Rural Tourism Circuit’ under the Rural Circuit theme of Swadesh Darshan scheme. No project proposal has been received in the Ministry from any other State Governments/Union Territory Administrations including Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra under the theme.

(d) & (e): The Ministry of Tourism identifies tourism circuits/sites for infrastructural development in the country in consultation with the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. The details of projects sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism under its various schemes during the last three years are annexed.

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