Eco Circuit identified as one of the 15 thematic circuits under Swadesh Darshan Scheme to promote Eco Tourism in the country: G Kishan Reddy
Eco-tourism has been identified
as one of the Niche Tourism areas for development in the country, including
Odisha, by the Ministry of Tourism.
Ministry of Tourism has taken several steps to develop
and promote eco-tourism in the country, including Odisha, which inter alia
include the following:
(i) In order to position India as a preferred global
destination for Eco/sustainable and responsible tourism, Ministry of Tourism
has formulated National Strategies for Eco Tourism and Sustainable Tourism.
In order to guide the operationalization and
implementation of the strategy documents, a National Board for Sustainable
Tourism has been constituted under the chairmanship of Secretary
(Tourism). 1st and
2nd meetings of the
Board were held on 16th August
2022 and 31st October
2022 respectively during which detailed deliberations were made on plan of
action for operationalization and implementation of the strategy documents,
which include eco-tourism.
(ii) Ministry of Tourism entered into a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and
Responsible Tourism Society of India (RTSOI) on 27th September
2021 to undertake measures to actively promote and support 'sustainability
initiatives' in the tourism sector of each other and work in a collaborative
manner.
(iii) Ministry of Tourism evolved & adopted
Comprehensive Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India (STCI) for major segments
of the tourism industry, namely accommodation units and tour operators,
applicable for the entire country, including Odisha.
(iv) Recognizing the potential for the development of Eco
tourism in the country, Ministry of Tourism identified “Eco Circuit” as one of
the 15 thematic circuits under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
This information was given by Minister of Tourism, G
Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.