Special Scheme for Sustainable Tourism
Special Scheme for Sustainable
Tourism
The Ministry of Tourism has
launched a Comprehensive Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India (STCI) for
three major segments of tourism industry, namely Tour Operators, Accommodation
and Beaches, Backwaters, Lakes & Rivers sectors during the sensitization
Workshop on Sustainable Tourism for Stakeholders organized in August 2014. The
criterion has been adopted by the stakeholders.
Further, the Ministry has guidelines for approval of Hotel Projects at the implementation stage and also guidelines for classification/re-classification of operational hotels under various categories. As per these guidelines, hotels at the project stage itself are required to incorporate various eco-friendly measures like Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), Rain Water Harvesting System, waste management system, pollution control, introduction of non-Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) equipment for refrigeration and air conditioning, measures for energy and water conservation etc. Under the guidelines for project level & classification/re-classification of operational hotels, it has been prescribed that the architecture of the hotel buildings in hilly and ecologically fragile areas should be sustainable and energy efficient and as far as possible be in conformity with the local ethos and make use of local designs and material.
The tour operators approved by Ministry of Tourism have to sign a pledge for commitment towards Safe & Honourable Tourism and Sustainable Tourism to fully implement Sustainable Tourism practices, consistent with the best environment and heritage protection standards, such that the present tourism resource requirements optimize both local community benefit and future sustainable uses.
The Ministry of Tourism holds a constant dialogue with State Governments/U.T. Administrations, various tourism related institutions and stakeholders for drawing up strategies for development and promotion of tourism in the country including Sustainable Tourism. The Ministry of Tourism supports from time to time various seminars and events that deliberate or focus on tourism in the country including Sustainable Tourism in rural areas.
However, no analysis on the impact of global climate change on the historical monuments and other tourist destinations has been made and no research has been conducted on the various issues of sustainable tourism by the Ministry of Tourism.
This information was given by Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Civil Aviation Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
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Development of Puranic Chakra
Teerth
Ministry
of Tourism has launched a new Plan Scheme ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage
Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive’ (PRASAD) in the year 2014-15 for
development and beautification of pilgrimage sites of the country. State-wise
list of 13 pilgrimage sites so far identified for development and
beautification under the scheme is given below:
|
Sl. No
|
Name of the Site
|
Name of the State
|
|
1.
|
Amaravati
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
2.
|
Kamakhya
|
Assam
|
|
3.
|
Gaya
|
Bihar
|
|
4.
|
Patna
|
-do-
|
|
5.
|
Dwarka
|
Gujarat
|
|
6.
|
Puri
|
Odisha
|
|
7.
|
Amritsar
|
Punjab
|
|
8.
|
Ajmer
|
Rajasthan
|
|
9.
|
Kanchipuram
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
10.
|
Vellankanni
|
-do-
|
|
11.
|
Kedarnath
|
Uttarakhand
|
|
12.
|
Mathura
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
13.
|
Varanasi
|
-do-
|
Identification
of more destinations under the scheme is a continuous process, subject to
availability of resources and adherence to scheme guidelines.
Ministry
of Tourism has launched another Plan Scheme “Swadesh Darshan” in 2014-15 for
integrated development of theme based circuits. Under Swadesh Darshan twelve
thematic circuits have been identified, including four religious/spiritual
thematic circuits i.e. Buddhist Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Spiritual Circuit and
Ramayana Circuit.
This
information was given by Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent
Charge) and Minister of State for Civil Aviation Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written
reply in Lok Sabha today.
****
Development of Kedarnath and
Badrinath Dham
Ministry of Tourism launched a Plan Scheme “National
Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive” (PRASAD).
Under the PRASAD scheme 13 sites in the country have been identified for
promoting and developing places of religious
importance.
The sites identified under the scheme are Amritsar,
Ajmer, Kedarnath, Dwaraka, Mathura, Varanasi, Gaya, Kamakhya, Puri, Amaravati, Kanchipuram,
Vellankanni and Patna.
Ministry of Tourism has launched another Plan Scheme
“Swadesh Darshan” in 2014-15 for integrated development of theme based
circuits. Under Swadesh Darshan twelve thematic circuits have been identified,
including four religious/spiritual thematic circuits i.e. Buddhist Circuit,
Krishna Circuit, Spiritual Circuit and Ramayana Circuit.
Details of funds sanctioned for Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Amarnath
during last three years is given below:-
Details of Projects Sanctioned for Amarnath, Badrinath,
Kedarnath and Gangotri during 12th Plan Period (i.e. upto
2013-14)
(Rs.
in lakh)
|
Sl.
No.
|
Name of projects
|
Amount
Sanctioned
|
|
|
Amarnath
|
|
|
|
2012-13
|
|
|
1.
|
Development of
Facilities en-route to Pahalgam Shrine of Shri Amarnathji track by
Pahalgam Development Authority
|
163.49
|
|
2.
|
Development and
Promotion of Pilgrim Circuit (TRC at Gurudwara Nangali Sahib, TRC at Shri
Buddha Amarnathji and TRC at Ziarat Sain Miran Sahib) in Poonch
District by Pooch Dev Authority.
|
419.74
|
|
|
Badrinath
|
|
|
|
2013-14
|
|
|
3.
|
Construction of
Sulabh Toilet Complex at different places in Sri Badrinath Dham in
Uttarakhand
|
399.32
|
|
4.
|
Integrated Dev. of Tourism
Infrastructure Circuit of Wayside Amenites TRH, Bio Toilets, Tourist
Facilitation Centre, Retaining wall, Pathway (Karnaprayag- Kaleshwar-
Nandprayag- Kaldubagarh- Hemkund Sahib- Bhewdaar- Badrinath- Mana-
Bhayundaar- Nauti- Mundoli- Gwaldam) and Reconstruction of Snan Ghat, Rafting
Deck under Panch Prayag circuit in Chamoli District in Uttarakhand
|
719.25
|
|
5.
|
Dev. of Reconstruction of
Tourism Infrastructure Circuit at Joshimath enroute to Badrinath, Gobind Ghat
enroute to Hemkund Sahib and Valley of Flowers including Tourist
Reception/Information Center, Kiosks, Gender based wayside amenities, Rain
Shelters, Solid Waste Management, Informatory Signages, etc. in Uttarakhand
|
787.50
|
|
|
Kedarnath
|
|
|
|
2013-14
|
|
|
6.
|
Integrated Development of
Tourism Infrastructure Circuit at Ukhimath and surrounding areas enroute to
Kedarnath including Tourist Reception and information Centre, Kiosks, Gender
Based Wayside Amenities, Rain Shelter, Solid Waste Management, Informatory Signages
in District Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand
|
787.50
|
|
|
Gangotri
|
|
|
|
2013-14
|
|
|
7
|
Integrated Development of
Tourism Circuit – TRH, Sulabh Toilets, Public Yatri Niwas, TCC at Gangotri-
Bhatwari – Sangamchhatti- Harshil- Arakot – Jhala-Bhatwari- Harsil- Dharli in
District Uttarakashi, Uttarakhand
|
787.50
|
This information was given by Minister of State for
Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Civil
Aviation Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
****
Promotion of Adventure Tourism
Adventure Tourism is one of
the emerging segments of travel in India. The Ministry of Tourism extends
Central Financial Assistance to State Governments/Union Territory
Administrations for the development of tourism projects including Adventure
Tourism, on the basis of proposals received from them subject to adherence of
relevant scheme guidelines and availability of funds utilization of funds
release earlier.
The National Tourism Policy, 2002 and the Report of the Working Group on Tourism for the 12th Five Year Plan lay thrust on development and promotion of Adventure Tourism. The steps taken by the Ministry of Tourism to promote Adventure Tourism, inter alia, include issuance of guidelines for Approval of Adventure Tour Operators, formulation of basic minimum standards for Adventure Tourism activities, etc. The Ministry of Tourism has been promoting Adventure Tourism through its domestic and international campaigns.
The Ministry of Tourism had launched a campaign ‘777 days of Incredible Indian Himalayas’ on 27th September 2013 to promote the tourism potential of the Indian Himalayas. The campaign, inter alia, aimed at promoting Indian Himalayas as an incredible tourism product and to make it as round the year destination. This campaign was conceived after holding a detailed discussion with the representatives of the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI). The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India has appreciated this initiative of the Ministry of Tourism.
The Ministry of Tourism also extends financial support for capacity building/training programmes in the adventure tourism sector.
In addition, the Ministry of Tourism in its guidelines for Basic Minimum Standards for Adventure Tourism related activities has identified the following categories of adventure tourism viz. land, water and air based activities which include mountaineering, trekking, river running, hang gliding, para gliding and bungee jumping.
Safety-precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incidents are under the purview of concerned State Governments/Union Territory Administrations.
This information was given by Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Civil Aviation Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
The National Tourism Policy, 2002 and the Report of the Working Group on Tourism for the 12th Five Year Plan lay thrust on development and promotion of Adventure Tourism. The steps taken by the Ministry of Tourism to promote Adventure Tourism, inter alia, include issuance of guidelines for Approval of Adventure Tour Operators, formulation of basic minimum standards for Adventure Tourism activities, etc. The Ministry of Tourism has been promoting Adventure Tourism through its domestic and international campaigns.
The Ministry of Tourism had launched a campaign ‘777 days of Incredible Indian Himalayas’ on 27th September 2013 to promote the tourism potential of the Indian Himalayas. The campaign, inter alia, aimed at promoting Indian Himalayas as an incredible tourism product and to make it as round the year destination. This campaign was conceived after holding a detailed discussion with the representatives of the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI). The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India has appreciated this initiative of the Ministry of Tourism.
The Ministry of Tourism also extends financial support for capacity building/training programmes in the adventure tourism sector.
In addition, the Ministry of Tourism in its guidelines for Basic Minimum Standards for Adventure Tourism related activities has identified the following categories of adventure tourism viz. land, water and air based activities which include mountaineering, trekking, river running, hang gliding, para gliding and bungee jumping.
Safety-precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incidents are under the purview of concerned State Governments/Union Territory Administrations.
This information was given by Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Civil Aviation Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
****
University and Skill
Development Centres for Development Of Tourism
The Ministry of Tourism is
exploring possibility of obtaining statutory status for the National Council
for Hotel Management & Catering Technology and the Indian Institute of
Travel and Tourism for awarding degrees in the field of Hospitality and Tourism
education, respectively.
The skill development programmes of the Ministry of Tourism are implemented through the Institutes of Hotel management and other identified institutions under the Scheme “Capacity Building for Service Providers”.
Development of tourism is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for tourism infrastructure projects as per the relevant scheme guidelines subject to availability of funds and receipt of due utilization certificates.
This information was given by Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Civil Aviation Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
The skill development programmes of the Ministry of Tourism are implemented through the Institutes of Hotel management and other identified institutions under the Scheme “Capacity Building for Service Providers”.
Development of tourism is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for tourism infrastructure projects as per the relevant scheme guidelines subject to availability of funds and receipt of due utilization certificates.
This information was given by Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Civil Aviation Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
****
Inflow of Tourists
The number of Domestic Tourist Visits (DTVs) and the
Foreign Tourist Visits (FTVs) to various States/ Union Territories (UTs) during
each of the last five years are as below:
(DTVs/FTVs in lakhs)
|
Year
|
DTVs
|
FTVs
|
|
2010
|
7477
|
179
|
|
2011
|
8645
|
195
|
|
2012
|
10450
|
183
|
|
2013
|
11425
|
200
|
|
2014
|
12901
|
226
|
The DTVs and FTVs reveal an increasing trend during the
last five years except a decline in FTVs during 2012.
The Ministry of Tourism has formulated a draft National Tourism Policy 2015
with the aim of positioning India as a “Must Experience” and “Must
Revisit” destination for global travellers, whilst encouraging Indians to
explore their own country and realise the potential of tourism as a major
engine for economic growth, employment generation and poverty alleviation in a
sustainable, responsible and inclusive framework, to the betterment of the
community.
The Ministry of Tourism held rounds of consultations to
obtain inputs for the Policy from overseas tour operators, stakeholders in the
tourism and hospitality industries, State Governments and UT Administrations,
experts, veterans and eminent personalities in the field of tourism. The draft
Policy was also hosted on the official websites of the Ministry of Tourism for
seeking public comments. In addition, as part of the
inter-ministerial consultations, the draft Policy has been circulated among 33
Central Ministries/Departments inviting their comments.
This information was given by Minister of State for
Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Civil
Aviation Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
****
Exemption from Rainwater
Harvesting System
The
provisions with respect to sewage treatment plant, waste management system and
rainwater harvesting system in the Starred hotels, heritage hotels,
guest houses, as well as guest houses of apartment category hotels as
enunciated in their respective guidelines issued by the Ministry of Tourism,
for approval/classification are given as under:-
1) Starred
Hotels:- Sewage treatment plant, waste management system and rainwater
harvesting system are mandatory. However, sewage treatment plant is not mandatory
condition for hotels which have obtained completion certificate for
construction before 01.04.2012.
2) Heritage
Hotels and Guest Houses:- Waste Management system is mandatory.
3) Apartment
Hotels:- Waste Management system, water harvesting and disposal/recycling
as per Pollution Control Board norms are mandatory.
This
information was given by Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent
Charge) and Minister of State for Civil Aviation Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written
reply in Lok Sabha today.
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