(a) whether the Government has planned to develop the tourism at animal sanctuaries, religious pilgrimage places and extreme Himalayas centres;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) whether solo women travellers have to reckon with concerns about safety; and
(e) if so, the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure the safety of such travellers?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the House.
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STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO*403 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2020 REGARDING TOURISM DEVELOPMENT.
(a) to (c): The Ministry under its schemes of Swadesh Darshan- Integrated Development of thematic circuits and PRASHAD - National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive is developing tourism infrastructure in the country.
Under Swadesh Darshan Scheme Ministry has identified 15 thematic circuits for development namely North-East Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Heritage Circuit, Tirthankar Circuit & Sufi Circuit. Under PRASHAD Scheme Ministry has identified 51 sites in 28 states. Details of sites are given at annexure-I.
The sites taken up for development under the above schemes includes National Parks, Wildlife sanctuaries, religious and pilgrimage sites and tourist sites in Himalayan states. The details of projects sanctioned under the schemes are at annexure-II.
In addition, for development of adventure tourism in the country including the Himalayan region, Ministry has formulated guidelines for Indian Adventure Tourism in 2018 (Version 2.0) on Safety and Quality Norms for Adventure Tourism in India. The guidelines list the basic minimum standards for adventure tourism in the country. All the State Governments / UT Administrations have been advised to adopt and implement these Guidelines. The Government has also opened more than 120 mountain peaks for mountaineering and trekking to promote adventure activities in the Himalayas.
(d) to (e): Safety and security of tourists is a State subject. However, Ministry of Tourism has taken several measures to ensure the safety and security of tourists including solo women travellers which are:
• 24x7 Toll Free Multi-Lingual Tourist Info-Helpline in 12 Languages to provide support service in terms of information and guidance to tourists.
• Some State Governments/Union Territory Administrations have deployed Tourist Police, in one form or the other.
• Launching of Code of Conduct for adoption by the Indian Travel and Tourism Industry for Safe and Honourable Tourism with the objective to encourage undertaking of tourism activities with respect to basic rights like dignity, safety and freedom from exploitation of both tourists and local residents, in particular women and children.
• Ministry of Tourism has issued the Guidelines in Safety and Security of Tourists for State Governments/Union Territories to stress on the importance of safety & security of the tourists.
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