The Ministry of Tourism during the financial year 2025-26 has launched ‘Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas’ as a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA) for development of homestays in tribal areas.

The scheme envisages the development of homestays to tap the tourist potential of the tribal areas and to provide an alternate livelihood to the tribal communities by providing funding support up to ₹5 lakh for village community requirements, up to ₹5 lakh for the construction of two new rooms for each household, and up to ₹3 lakh for the renovation of existing rooms for each household.

The scheme endeavours to promote community-based responsible tourism in tribal villages across the country by facilitating cultural exchange between tourists and indigenous communities, thereby offering an authentic tribal rural experience to visitors while ensuring socio-economic benefits to the local population.

It also envisages capacity-building interventions, including skill development of local communities, promotion of sustainable and responsible tourism practices, and marketing support for tribal homestays.

Under the scheme, the Ministry has approved projects in 5 States/UTs namely; Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Uttarakhand and UT of Ladakh for a total cost of ₹17.52 Cr. However, no funds have been released so far.

This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

tourism4pib@gmail.com