Lok Sabha Question No. 384 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-05
Subject: Identification of Tourist Spots
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: NIHAL CHAND CHAUHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†384 ANSWERED ON 05.02.2018

## IDENTIFICATION OF TOURIST SPOTS

## †384. SHRI NIHAL CHAND:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  contemplating  to  identify  and develop additional tourist  spots  in  the  country  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  develop  Kalibanga  and Laila  Majnu  Ki  Mazar  in  Rajasthan  as  tourist  spots  and  is taking any steps to promote tourism in that area; and
- (c) whether in future the Government  is likely to consider developing  border  areas  such  as  Gram  Naggi,  Lakha-Hakam and  Hindu-Malkot  and  other  places  in  the  country  as  tourist spots in order to help improve the standard of living of people residing in that area?

## ANSWER

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

(a): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  launched  two  schemes  i.e., Swadesh Darshan - Integrated Development of Theme-Based Tourist Circuits and PRASHAD- National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive in 2014-15 for development of tourism infrastructure in the country.

Under Swadesh Darshan scheme fifteen thematic circuits have been identified for development namely; North-East Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert  Circuit,  Tribal  Circuit,  Eco  Circuit,  Wildlife  Circuit,  Rural Circuit,  Spiritual  Circuit,  Ramayana  Circuit,  Heritage  Circuit,  Sufi Circuit and Tirthankar Circuit.

Under  PRASHAD  scheme,  25  sites  of  religious  significance have  been  identified for development  in the country,  namely Amaravati, Tirupati & Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh), Ayodhya, Mathura &  Varanasi  (Uttar  Pradesh), Dwarka  &  Somnath  (Gujarat),  Gaya  & Patna  (Bihar),  Kanchipuram  &  Vellankani  (Tamil  Nadu),  Amritsar (Punjab), Ajmer  (Rajasthan), Deoghar  (Jharkhand), Belur (West Bengal), Guruvayoor (Kerala), Hazratbal & Katra (Jammu & Kashmir), Kamakhya (Assam), Kedarnath & Badrinath (Uttarakhand), Puri (Odisha), Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra), Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh).

(b):   The projects under the scheme for development are sanctioned  subject  to  availability  of  funds,  liquidation  of  pending utilization certificates, submission  of suitable Detailed Project Report  (DPR)  and  adherence  to  the  scheme  guidelines.  Based  on proposals received from the Government of Rajasthan, Ministry has sanctioned funds to the tune of Rs.43.37 lakhs for Development of Kalibanga in Rajasthan under Heritage Circuit project.

(c):   Under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, Ministry has sanctioned projects  for  Development  of  tourist  facilities  in  border  areas  at Moreh (Manipur). One of the major aims of Swadesh Darshan Scheme is to create employment opportunities for locals which in turn would lead to  increase  sources  of  income,  improved  living  standards  and

Suchetgarh (Jammu  &  Kashmir), Akaura (Tripura) and overall development of the area.

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