(a) whether the Government has any proposal to promote eco-tourism in various States of the country;
(b) if so, the spots identified in such States including Odisha and West Bengal;
(c) whether there is a vast scope to promote ecotourism in Odisha and West Bengal; and
(d) if so, the details of other measures/steps taken to develop and boost eco-tourism in various States of the country including Odisha and West Bengal?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)
(a) to (d): The Ministry of Tourism has launched the Swadesh Darshan Scheme for the development of tourism related infrastructure and facilities in the country. Recognizing the potential for the development of Eco tourism in the country, the Ministry of Tourism has identified “Eco Circuit” as one of the 15 thematic circuits under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
The projects under the Swadesh Darshan scheme are identified for development in consultation with the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations and are sanctioned subject to availability of funds, submission of suitable detailed project reports, adherence to scheme guidelines and utilization of funds released earlier. Submission of project proposals by the State Governments and its sanctioning is a continuous process. No proposal has so far been received by the Ministry from Govt of Odisha & West Bengal for development of under Eco Tourism. However the Ministry has sanctioned Development of Coastal Circuits which comprises of Gopalpur, Barkul, Satapada and Tampara in Odisha during 2016-17 & Development of Coastal /Beach Circuit which comprises of Udaipur, Digha, Shankarpur, Tajpur, Mandarmani, Fraserganj, Bakkhali, Henry Island in West Bengal during 2015-16.
The details of projects sanctioned under the Eco Circuit theme of Swadesh Darshan scheme in the country and Coastal Circuit theme in Odisha & West Bengal are annexed.
In addition to above, Ministry has taken several steps to boost Eco-tourism in the country which inter-alia include the following:
(i) Evolved & adopted Comprehensive Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India (STCI) for three major segments of the tourism industry, namely accommodation, tour operators, Beaches, Backwaters, Lakes & Rivers sectors, applicable for the entire country.
(ii) Guidelines for approval of Hotel Projects at the implementation stage and also for Classification/Re-classification of operational hotels under various categories mandate incorporation of various eco-friendly measures like installation of Sewage Treatment Plant, Rain water Harvesting, Waste Management System, Pollution Control and Introduction of non Chlorofluorocarbon equipment for refrigeration and air conditioners, energy and water conservation measures.
(iii) Promoting Eco-Tourism, inter-alia through domestic and international campaigns and also by supporting seminars, conference and events focusing on development of Eco-Tourism in the country, from time to time.
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