Lok Sabha Question No. 3005 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-06
Subject: Development of Buddhist Circuit
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: B.V. NAYAK, VINOD KUMAR SONKAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3005 ANSWERED ON 06.08.2018

## DEVELOPMENT OF BUDDHIST CIRCUIT

## 3005. SHRI B.V. NAIK:

SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has formulated/proposes to formulate any  plan  for  development  of  Buddhist  circuit  and  heritage tourist places and cities related to Lord Buddha  under Swadesh Darshan Scheme and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of Buddhist sites in the country and the steps taken for  the  development  and  promotion  of  these  sites  along  with funds/grants  allocated  therefor  during  the  last  three  years, State-wise;
- (c) whether Buddhist circuit development project is under consideration  of  the  Government  along  with  the  criteria  for selecting tourist centres sites under the project;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor along with  the  time  limit  fixed  for  the  development  of  Buddhist circuit; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to develop Buddhist circuit by including Buddhist sites in Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh in the said circuit and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI K.J. ALPHONS)

(a) to (e): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  under  its  Swadesh  Darshan Scheme  has  identified  Buddhist  circuit  as  one  of  the  thematic circuits  for  development  in  the  country.  All  sites  in  the  country associated with Buddhism are covered under this circuit.

The projects under the scheme are identified for development in consultation with the State Governments/UT Administrations and are sanctioned  subject  to  availability of  funds,  submission  of suitable  detailed  project  reports,  adherence  to  scheme  guidelines and  utilization  of  funds  released  earlier.  Based  on  above  criteria, Ministry  has  sanctioned  following  projects  under  Buddhist  Circuit theme:

(Rs. in Crore)

| S. No.   | State/ Sanction Year   | Project Name                                                                                        |   Amt. Sanctioned |
|----------|------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|
| 1.       | Madhya Pradesh 2016-17 | Development of Buddhist Circuit in Sanchi- Satna- Rewa- Mandsaur- Dhar                              |             74.94 |
| 2.       | Uttar Pradesh 2016-17  | Development of Buddhist Circuit: Srawasti- Kushinagar- Kapilvastu                                   |             99.97 |
| 3.       | Bihar 2016-17          | Construction of Convention Centre adjacent to Maya Sarovar on the western side at Bodhgaya          |             98.73 |
| 4.       | Gujarat 2017-18        | Development of Buddhist circuit: Junagadh- Gir- Somnath- Bharuch- Kutch- Bhavnagar- Rajkot- Mehsana |             35.99 |
| 5.       | Andhra Pradesh 2017-18 | Development of Buddhist Circuit: Shalihundam- Thotlakonda- Bavikonda- Bojjanakonda- Amravati- Anupu |             52.34 |
| Total    | Total                  | Total                                                                                               |            361.97 |

All the above projects are at various stages of implementation.

In addition to above, Ministry undertakes several promotional activities in the domestic and international markets for promotion of the varied tourism products and destinations of the country including Buddhist Heritage Sites and Circuits. The Ministry produces  publicity  material  and  collaterals  in  English  and  foreign languages for domestic and international markets; media campaigns in  the  print  and  electronic  media  are  undertaken  in  the  domestic and international markets; familiarisation tours for trade, media and opinion makers are undertaken from overseas to Buddhist Sites and

Circuits in the country under the Hospitality Scheme of the Ministry. Ministry  is  in  the  process  of  printing  a  map  and  thematic  film  on

Buddhist sites in the country.

With the objective of  showcasing  Buddhist  heritage  and pilgrim  sites  of  India  and  give  wide  publicity  to  the  core  Buddhist circuits  to  create  awareness  of  Buddhist  heritage  in  the  country Ministry  of  Tourism  organizes  International  Conclave  on  Buddhism every  alternate  year  which  is  attended  by  Tour  Operators,  Travel Agents,  Media  Representatives,  Scholars,  Monks  from  all  over  the world.  Ministry  is  organising  International  Buddhist  Conclave  in India from 23 rd  to 26 th  August, 2018.

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