Govt Earmarks ₹103 Crore for Tribal Tourism in Budget 2025–26

New Delhi, Aug 11: The Union Budget 2025–26 has allocated ₹103 crore to boost tourism in tribal areas, aiming to preserve cultural heritage and generate sustainable livelihoods. The Ministry of Tourism confirmed that this funding falls under the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) component of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.

Funding Breakdown

According to the Ministry, ₹88 crore will go to the Tribal Area Sub Plan and ₹15 crore to the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA). This strategic allocation focuses on Scheduled Tribes (ST)-dominated regions, ensuring targeted infrastructure and livelihood support.

Projects under the Tribal Circuit theme will highlight tribal culture, improve tourism facilities, and integrate local communities into the tourism value chain. This aligns with the government’s vision of regionally balanced development.

Focus on Sustainable Livelihoods

Under PM-JUGA, the Ministry plans to develop 1,000 homestays in tribal areas. Financial support will include up to ₹5 lakh for village-level requirements, ₹5 lakh for two new rooms per household, and ₹3 lakh for renovating existing rooms.

These measures are designed to promote eco-friendly tourism while providing long-term income opportunities. However, no funds have yet been released for the PM-JUGA Homestay initiative.

Training and Skill Development

The Ministry also supports the Incredible India Tourist Facilitator (IITF) certification programme. This online platform trains professional tourist facilitators and guides, with SC and ST candidates receiving full fee exemptions. The programme offers basic, advanced, language, and refresher courses.

No Dedicated SC or OBC Budget

While the Ministry has not earmarked specific funds for Scheduled Castes (SC) or Other Backward Classes (OBC) under tourism schemes, projects in backward areas indirectly benefit these communities. The approach focuses on inclusive infrastructure and service delivery.

Impact and Assessments

The National Productivity Council’s 2019 assessment of Swadesh Darshan noted significant contributions to job creation and tourism-linked livelihoods. However, no separate impact study for SC, ST, or OBC participation has been conducted so far.

Transparency and Implementation

Currently, there is no mechanism for public verification of beneficiary data by community. Still, guidelines emphasize transparency, with State Governments and Union Territories responsible for inclusive planning.

Driving Inclusive Tourism Growth

By integrating infrastructure development with cultural preservation, the government aims to ensure tourism benefits reach marginalized communities. Experts believe that investments like these can transform remote tribal regions into vibrant tourism hubs while preserving their unique identity.