Lok Sabha Question No. 3326 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-09
Subject: Development of Tourism in Odisha under Swadesh Darshan Scheme
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3326 ANSWERED ON 09.12.2019

## DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN ODISHA UNDER SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME

## 3326. SHRI SAPTAGIRI SANKAR ULAKA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that District Koraput/Rayagada in southern Odisha with rich tribal culture, lush valleys, wildlife, religious and historical heritage, provides huge prospective for development of tourism;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  request  the  State Government to send the details for approvals under 'Swadesh Darshan Scheme';
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether there is a possibility for the Government to take selfdecision to announce the said districts as a tourist place and if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  reasons  therefor  and the criterion for development of tourist place; and
- (e) whether the Government has any plan to include some sites from  Odisha  in  the  list  of  17  iconic  sites  as  declared  in  the budget, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a) to (d): Yes,  Sir.  Ministry  of  Tourism  is  aware  of  the  tourism potential of the state of Odisha. Ministry had launched the Swadesh Darshan Scheme in 2015 with the objective of developing thematic circuits in the country and has identified 15 circuits for development under the scheme. All State Governments/Union Territory  Administrations  were  advised  to  identify  the  projects under  the  scheme  and  forward  the  same  to  the  Ministry  for consideration. The projects under the scheme are identified for development in consultation with the State Governments/Union Territory 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. Submission  of  project  proposal  by  the  State  Governments/  Union Territory Administrations and its sanctioning is a continuous process. Ministry  has  sanctioned  a  project  Development  of  Coastal Circuit:    Gopalpur,  Barkul,  Satapada  and  Tampara  in  Odisha  under the Swadesh Darshan scheme for Rs. 70.82 Crore in 2016-17. (e): The  Ministry  has  identified  17  sites  in  12  clusters  in  the country for development as Iconic Tourism Sites namely Taj Mahal &  Fatehpur  Sikri  (Uttar  Pradesh),  Ajanta  &  Ellora  (Maharashtra), Humayun's Tomb, Red Fort & Qutub Minar (Delhi), Colva (Goa), Amer Fort (Rajasthan), Somnath & Dholavira (Gujarat), Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh), Hampi (Karnataka), Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu), Kaziranga  (Assam),  Kumarakom  (Kerala)  and  Mahabodhi  Temple (Bihar). The  Ministry  envisages  to  develop  above  destinations  in  the country as benchmark tourism destinations and later replicate it at other destinations taking into account the learnings derived from its

implementation.

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