Development of Buddhist Circuit

The Ministry of Tourism has launched the Swadesh Darshan scheme in the year 2014-15 with a vision to develop theme based tourist circuits on the principles of high tourist value, competitiveness and sustainability in an integrated manner by synergizing efforts to focus on needs and concerns of all stakeholders to enrich tourist experience and enhance employment opportunities. The Ministry has identified Buddhist Circuit as one of the twelve thematic circuits for development under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.

The Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for tourism projects including Buddhist circuit in consultation with them subject to availability of funds, liquidation of pending utilization certificates and adherence to the scheme guidelines.

The details of projects sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan scheme till date are given below:-

Details of the projects sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.                                                                                                                              

 (Rs. in Crore)                                                    

Sl. No.	State	Name of the project	Sanctioned Amount
Year- 2014-15
1	Andhra Pradesh	Development of Kakinada Hope Island Konaseema as World class coastal & Eco Tourism Circuit in Andhra Pradesh	69.83
2	Arunachal Pradesh	Bhalukpong-Bomdila-Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh	50.00
3	Bihar	Cultural Centre, Bodhgaya	33.17
Year – 2015-16
1	Manipur	Development of Tourist Circuit in Manipur: Imphal-Moirang-Khongjom-Moreh	89.66
2	Sikkim	Development of Tourist  Circuit linking - Rangpo     (entry) - Rorathang -  Aritar -  Phadamchen - Nathang - Sherathang - Tsongmo - Gangtok - Phodong - Mangan - Lachung  - Yumthang - Lachen - Thangu -   Gurudongmer - Mangan - Gangtok - Tumin Lingee - Singtam (exit) in Sikkim	98.05
3	Uttarakhand	Integrated Development of Eco-Tourism, Adventure Sports, Associated Tourism related Infrastructure for Development of Tehri Lake & Surroundings as New Destination-District Tehri, Uttarakhand	80.37
4	Rajasthan	Development of Sambhar Lake Town and Other Destinations under Desert Circuit in Swadesh Darshan Scheme	63.96
5	Nagaland	Development of Tribal Circuit Peren –Kohima-Wokha, Nagaland	97.36

This information was given by Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Civil Aviation Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

Courtesy: pib.nic.in