Measures for Development Of Sustainable Tourism (GS Paper 3, Economy)
Why in news?
- The Ministry of Tourism started the Destination Based Capacity Building programme.
- The objective of the program is to train, upgrade, sensitize and to bring the services/trainings at the door steps of the local people and service providers residing near tourism sites and destinations who cannot afford to travel to the cities/towns to take training.
Details:
- Till now more than 12000 candidates have been trained under this initiative and more than 150 such training has been conducted at various tourist destinations across the country.
- To position India as a preferred global destination for sustainable and responsible tourism, Ministry of Tourism has formulated National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism.
Following strategic pillars have been identified for the development of sustainable tourism:
- Promoting Environmental Sustainability
- Protecting Biodiversity
- Promoting Economic Sustainability
- Promoting Socio-Cultural Sustainability
- Scheme for Certification of Sustainable Tourism
- IEC and Capacity Building
Governance:
- To assist the Ministry in implementation of National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism, Ministry has designated Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management (IITTM) as the Central Nodal Agency – Sustainable Tourism (CNA-ST).
- Under the Scheme of Domestic Promotion and Publicity including Hospitality, Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) up to Rs.50.00 Lakh to State Governments and up to Rs.30 Lakhs to UT Administrations on the proposal of fairs/ festivals and tourism related events (i.e. seminars, conclaves, conventions etc.).
The components covered under the scheme are as under:-
- Creation of semi-permanent structures.
- Production of posters, pamphlets, advertisement in newspaper and production of film.
- Remuneration of artists.
- Sitting arrangements, lighting, sound, lodging & boarding, transportation, hiring of space and other similar activities.
Financial assistance:
- The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) under the Schemes of “Swadesh Darshan”, “Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive” PRASHAD and “Assistance to Central Agencies” provides financial assistance to State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations/Central Agencies for the development of tourism related infrastructure and facilities at various tourism destinations in the country.
- To encourage the State Tourism Departments to take major IT initiatives for improving tourist information and facilitation as well as marketing and publicizing their tourist products, the Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance to the States and UT Governments to enable them to adopt wide-spread use of information technology in their tourism products and services, comprising publicity, promotion, marketing, etc.
- Under this scheme, financial assistance up to 50% of the IT project (of States or UTs) is given to the State/UT Governments, restricted to an annual ceiling for each State/UT, which would be 90% of the total project cost or Rs.50 lakhs, whichever is lower.
Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme launched
(GS Paper 3, Environment)
Why in news?
- The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has launched the Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme.
- This national forest certification scheme offers voluntary third-party certification designed to promote sustainable forest management and agroforestry in the country.
- The scheme includes forest management certification, tree outside forest management certification, and chain of custody certification.
Market incentives:
- The Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme can provide market incentives to various entities that adhere to responsible forest management and agroforestry practices in their operations.
- This includes state forest departments, individual farmers, or Farmer Producer Organizations engaged in agroforestry and farm forestry, as well as other wood-based industries in the value chain.
Indian Forest Management Standard:
- The Forest Management certification is based on the Indian Forest Management Standard, consisting of 8 criteria, 69 indicators and 254 verifiers, which is an integral part of the National Working Plan Code 2023, launched earlier this year.
- A separate Trees Outside Forests Standard, is now introduced as a part of the newly launched Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme.
Indian Forest and Wood Certification Council:
- The Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme, will be overseen by the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Council, which will act as a multistakeholder advisory body.
- The Council is represented by members from eminent institutions such as Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Forest Survey of India, Quality Council of India, Indian Institute of Forest Management including representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Ministry of Commerce and Industry, State Forest Departments, Forest Development Corporations, and representatives from wood-based industries.
Implementing Agency:
- Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal will act as the scheme operating agency and will be responsible for overall management of the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme.
- The National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies under the Quality Council of India will accredit the certification bodies which will carry out independent audits and assess adherence of various entities on the standards prescribed under the scheme.
