Question : Criteria to Include Ancient and Historical Sites as Tourism Spots

(a) the criteria for inclusion of any ancient and historical site in the list of tourist sites as a tourist spot;
(b) the total number of ancient and historical sites included as a tourist spot in various States including Maharashtra;
(c) whether the Government proposes to include Shri Tulja Bhavani temple situated in Osmanabad in the list of cultural and central tourist places;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which it is likely to be included in the central list of tourist places and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) whether Shri Tulja Bhavani temple fulfils all the criteria and if so, the details thereof?

Answer given by the minister

MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)
(a) and (b): The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has not set any criteria for declaring a site as a tourist site or a tourist spot. Any site, which attracts or has potential to attract tourists, whether it is a pilgrimage site, historical or cultural site, or a place related to wild life, wellness, adventure etc., is termed as tourist spot/ site.

The Ministry of Culture (Archaeological Survey of India) notifies certain sites as protected sites and undertake the work of their renovation and conservation. Similarly, respective State Governments notify their own list of the State protected heritage monuments / sites.

(c) to (e): At present, there is no such proposal under consideration of the Ministry.

The development and promotion of Tourism is primarily the responsibility of the State Government/ Union Territory Administration. The Ministry of Tourism, under the scheme of Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) provides financial assistance to state Government/ Union Territory Administration for the development of Tourism Infrastructure in consultation with them. The projects under these schemes are sanctioned subject to availability of funds, submission of suitable Detailed Project Reports, adherence to scheme guidelines and utilization of funds released earlier etc., sanctioning of projects under these schemes is a continuous process.

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