New Delhi: Jammu & Kashmir has not been included among the states and Union Territories that have received central financial assistance for wildlife and eco-tourism projects under the Ministry of Tourism’s Swadesh Darshan scheme, even as the Centre continues to promote wildlife and forest tourism across the country.
The Ministry of Tourism informed Parliament that it is promoting wildlife tourism in forest areas nationwide through multiple initiatives, including digital outreach, and has formulated a National Strategy for Development of Ecotourism, which has been circulated to all states and Union Territories. However, no project from Jammu and Kashmir figures in the list of sanctioned projects under the Eco and Wildlife Circuits of the Swadesh Darshan scheme.
Under Swadesh Darshan, the ministry has identified thematic circuits, including Eco and Wildlife Circuits, covering national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserves. Central financial assistance is provided based on detailed project reports submitted by state and UT governments and as per scheme guidelines.
According to official data, six Eco Circuit projects have been sanctioned in states such as Jharkhand, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Telangana and Uttarakhand, with funding ranging from ₹30.44 crore to ₹93.76 crore. These projects focus on developing eco-tourism destinations, adventure tourism infrastructure and related facilities.
Similarly, two Wildlife Circuit projects have been approved in Assam and Madhya Pradesh, with allocations of ₹94.68 crore and ₹92.10 crore respectively. The projects aim to strengthen tourism infrastructure around major national parks and wildlife reserves, including Kaziranga, Manas, Kanha and Bandhavgarh.
The ministry said that wildlife tourism is also being promoted through its official website and social media platforms, and that proposals are considered as and when states and UTs submit eligible projects.
The information was shared by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.
