(a) whether the Government has received any proposal to develop the tourist destinations located in the tribal areas of the country particularly Gadchiroli-Chimur in Maharashtra and in Himachal Pradesh during the last three years and till date;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the funds provided under the Tribal Area Tourism Circuit Scheme during the said period; and
(c) the other steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for development of tourism in tribal areas?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) to (c): The development and promotion of tourism and to develop the tourist destinations is primarily the responsibility of the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. However, the Ministry of Tourism (MOT) provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to various State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for various tourism projects, including development of tourism in tribal areas, prioritized every year in consultation with them subject to availability of funds, inter-se priority and adherence to the scheme guidelines.
Ministry of Tourism has not received any project for Gadchiroli-Chimur.
Under Product/infrastructure Development for Destinations and Circuits (PIDDC) Scheme being implemented by the Ministry of Tourism, 2.5% of the total annual Plan allocation is earmarked for development of tourism in Tribal areas. Details of projects undertaken under this specific provision are given at Annexure.