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December 20, 2024 06:43
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Swadesh Darshan Scheme develops tourism infrastructure across India. By focusing on sustainable tourism, the Swadesh Darshan Scheme enhances both local economies and cultural preservation.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme: The Swadesh Darshan Scheme is a flagship initiative launched by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, in 2014-15 to develop tourism infrastructure across various destinations in the country. The goal of the scheme is to boost India’s tourism potential, promote domestic and international tourism, and create sustainable economic opportunities for local communities. Over the years, the scheme has evolved, with the introduction of Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 (SD2.0), which emphasizes sustainability and a destination-centric approach to tourism development.
The Swadesh Darshan Scheme was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in 2014-15 with the objective of developing theme-based tourist circuits across the country. This initiative provided financial assistance to State Governments, Union Territory (UT) Administrations, and Central Agencies to create tourism infrastructure at various destinations, subject to the availability of funds, submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), adherence to guidelines, and effective utilization of funds.
From 2014 to 2019, the scheme successfully sanctioned 76 projects under identified thematic circuits across 31 States and UTs of India, with an allocation of Rs. 5,292.57 Crore. These projects were designed to boost the tourism sector by improving facilities such as roads, airports, signage, hotels, and other tourist amenities.
Here are some of the most important projects which were sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme:
| Projects Sanctioned Under Swadesh Darshan Scheme | ||||
| S. No. | State/UT | Circuit/Year | Project Name | Amount (₹ Cr) |
| 1 | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Coastal Circuit 2016-17 | Long Island, Ross Smith, Neil, Havelock, Baratang, Port Blair | 27.57 |
| 2 | Andhra Pradesh | Coastal Circuit 2014-15 | Kakinada, Hope Island, Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary | 67.83 |
| 3 | Andhra Pradesh | Coastal Circuit 2015-16 | Nellore, Pulikat Lake, Ubblamadugu Waterfalls, Nelapattu | 49.55 |
| 4 | Andhra Pradesh | Buddhist Circuit 2017-18 | Shalihundam, Bavikonda, Bojjanakonda, Amravati, Anupu | 35.24 |
| 5 | Arunachal Pradesh | North-East 2014-15 | Bhalukpong, Bomdila, Tawang | 49.77 |
| 6 | Assam | Wildlife Circuit 2015-16 | Manas, Probitora, Nameri, Kaziranga, Dibru, Saikhowa | 94.68 |
| 7 | Bihar | Spiritual Circuit 2016-17 | Kanwaria Route (Sultanganj to Deoghar) | 44.76 |
| 8 | Goa | Coastal Circuit 2016-17 | Sinquerim, Baga, Anjuna, Vagator, Morjim, Aguada Fort | 97.65 |
| 9 | Gujarat | Heritage Circuit 2016-17 | Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Porbandar, Bardoli, Dandi | 59.17 |
| 10 | Jammu & Kashmir | Himalayan Circuit 2016-17 | Jammu, Srinagar, Pahalgam, Kargil, Leh | 91.84 |
| 11 | Kerala | Eco Circuit 2015-16 | Pathanamthitta, Gavi, Vagamon, Thekkady | 64.08 |
| 12 | Madhya Pradesh | Wildlife Circuit 2015-16 | Panna, Mukundpur, Kanha, Pench | 92.10 |
| 13 | Maharashtra | Coastal Circuit 2015-16 | Sindhudurg Coastal Circuit (Tarkarli, Vijaydurg) | 19.06 |
| 14 | Rajasthan | Krishna Circuit 2016-17 | Govind Devji, Khatu Shyam Ji, Nathdwara | 75.80 |
| 15 | Sikkim | North-East Circuit 2015-16 | Gangtok, Lachung, Gurudongmer, Mangan | 98.05 |
| 16 | Tamil Nadu | Coastal Circuit 2016-17 | Chennai, Rameshwaram, Kanyakumari | 73.13 |
| 17 | Uttar Pradesh | Ramayana Circuit 2017-18 | Development of Ayodhya | 127.21 |
| 18 | West Bengal | Coastal Circuit 2015-16 | Digha, Mandarmani, Fraserganj, Henry Island | 67.99 |
To get a comprehensive list of projects sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, Click Here
After the success of the original scheme, the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 (SD2.0) was launched with a new vision to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations. This revamped scheme focuses on both enhancing tourism infrastructure and boosting local economies through community-driven development.
SD2.0 adopts a more holistic, destination-centric approach to tourism development, ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach local communities while preserving the cultural and natural heritage of these areas.
SD2.0 introduces several improvements based on a detailed review of the previous scheme, including:
Here are some of the most important projects which were sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0:
| Projects Sanctioned Under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme | |||||
| S. No. | State | Destination | Experience | Amount (₹ Cr) | Year |
| 1 | Andhra Pradesh | Araku-Lambasingi | Borra Cave Experience | 29.87 | 2023-24 |
| 2 | Arunachal Pradesh | Nacho | Unlock Nacho Expedition | 14.02 | 2023-24 |
| 3 | Assam | Kokrajhar | Wetland Experience | 26.67 | 2023-24 |
| 4 | Goa | Porvorim | Porvorim Creek Experience | 23.56 | 2024-25 |
| 5 | Karnataka | Hampi | Traveller Nooks Setup | 26.30 | 2023-24 |
| 6 | Kerala | Kumarakom | Bird Sanctuary Experience | 13.92 | 2023-24 |
| 7 | Ladakh | Leh | Julley Leh Biodiversity Park | 24.89 | 2023-24 |
| 8 | Madhya Pradesh | Chitrakoot | Spiritual Experience | 27.21 | 2023-24 |
| 9 | Maharashtra | Pune | Shivsrushti Historical Theme Park | 76.22 | 2024-25 |
| 10 | Meghalaya | Sohra | Meghalayan Age Cave Experience | 32.45 | 2023-24 |
| 11 | Nagaland | Chumoukedima | Tribal Cultural Experience | 21.56 | 2023-24 |
| 12 | Punjab | Amritsar | Border Tourism Experience at Attari | 25.90 | 2024-25 |
To get a comprehensive list of projects sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, Click Here
The strategic objectives of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme are focused on promoting responsible and sustainable tourism that benefits local communities and the environment. The main objectives include:
To achieve the goals of sustainable tourism development, SD2.0 follows several key principles:
The Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 (SD2.0) aims to develop responsible tourism destinations through a series of targeted interventions. By 2020, the Ministry of Tourism had sanctioned 34 projects under SD2.0 for a total of Rs. 793.20 Crore, including projects in border areas. In addition, the Ministry introduced the Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD) sub-scheme, which identifies destinations based on their potential for development and tourism growth. A total of 42 destinations, including five from the Vibrant Village category, have been identified for special focus.
The scheme supports the development of infrastructure and services, with a particular focus on border areas and rural tourism, which are integral to the government’s broader development agenda.
A key feature of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme is the development of tourism circuits that focus on specific themes, catering to various segments of travellers. Some of the prominent circuits under the scheme include:
The goal of these circuits is to ensure a holistic experience for tourists while promoting lesser-known areas to create a balanced distribution of tourists across the country.
Comprehensive list of projects categorized by circuits under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme from FY 2014-15 to 21st January 2024:
| Sr. No. | Name of the Theme | Number of projects | Amount Sanctioned |
| 1. | Buddhist Circuit | 05 | 319.01 |
| 2. | Coastal Circuit | 10 | 631.39 |
| 3. | Desert Circuit | 01 | 50.01 |
| 4. | Eco Circuit | 06 | 415.44 |
| 5. | Heritage Circuit | 10 | 742.85 |
| 6. | Himalayan Circuit | 07 | 587.92 |
| 7. | Krishna Circuit | 02 | 153.19 |
| 8. | North-East Circuit | 10 | 816.13 |
| 9. | Ramayana Circuit | 02 | 196.66 |
| 10. | Rural Circuit | 02 | 101.62 |
| 11. | Spiritual Circuit | 13 | 672.61 |
| 12. | Tirthankar Circuit | 01 | 33.96 |
| 13. | Tribal Circuit | 04 | 371.47 |
| 14. | Wildlife Circuit | 02 | 186.78 |
| 15 | Wayside | 01 | 15.07 |
| TOTAL | 76 | 5294.11 | |
In 2023, the Ministry of Tourism rolled out the first phase of Swadesh Darshan 2.0, identifying 15 States for focused promotion as part of India’s new domestic tourism policy. This shift from theme-based circuits to destination-specific development marks a significant change in India’s tourism strategy, aligning with the “Vocal for Local” initiative and the broader vision of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”
Some of the destinations that have been identified for promotion under this initiative include:
These destinations will be developed with a focus on enhancing local infrastructure, improving tourist amenities, and preserving cultural heritage while boosting local employment.
The Swadesh Darshan Scheme has a special emphasis on the development of rural and border regions, which have traditionally been overlooked in terms of tourism infrastructure. By investing in these regions, the government aims to facilitate inclusive growth, create employment opportunities, and improve the living standards of people living in remote areas.
In addition to infrastructure, SD2.0 also emphasizes the importance of community-driven tourism, where local populations are involved in the development and maintenance of tourism facilities. This helps ensure that tourism benefits are widely distributed and contribute to the long-term economic well-being of local communities.
The Swadesh Darshan Scheme has played a key role in transforming India’s tourism sector. With the introduction of Swadesh Darshan 2.0, the Ministry of Tourism is taking a more integrated and sustainable approach to tourism development, ensuring that the benefits of tourism are equitably distributed while preserving India’s rich cultural and natural heritage.
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