Lok Sabha Question No. 2234 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-03
Subject: Buddha Circuit
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: JAGDAMBIKA PAL, R.P. MARUTHARAJAA, KIRIT PREMJIBHAI SOLANKI, PREM DAS RAI, KANWAR SINGH TANWAR

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF TOURISM

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2234

ANSWERED ON 03.08.2015

BUDDHA CIRCUIT

2234. SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

SHRI R. P. MARUTHARAJAA:

DR. KIRIT P. SOLANKI:

SHRI PREM DAS RAI:

SHRI KANWAR SINGH TANWAR:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether the Government has formulated any scheme for the development of 'International Buddha Circuit' under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme;

(b) 	if so, the details thereof and the present status of the development of 'International Buddha Circuit' along with the funds allocated and expenditure incurred in this regard during the last three years;

(c) 	whether the Government has identified certain sites in various parts of the country including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Sikkim, Gujarat and other areas of North East Region for the development of Buddha Circuit and if so, the details thereof along with the places included in the Buddha Circuit;

(d) 	whether the Government is aware that relics and stupas of Buddha have been found in 'Devi Ni Mori' near Samlaji in Gujarat and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) 	whether the Government has received any proposal from the State Government of Gujarat to develop Buddha Circuit in view of the relics and stupas found in Gujarat and if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a): 	The Ministry of Tourism has launched the Swadesh Darshan scheme 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 identified for development under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.

(b):  	The details of funds allocated and expenditure incurred on Buddhist Projects in the country during last three years are given at Annexure.

(c): 	The Ministry of Tourism has identified following three circuits to be developed as Buddhist Circuits in the country with the help of Central Government/State Government/Stake Holders:

**Circuit 1:** The Dharmayatra  or the Sacred Circuit -  This is a 5 to 7 days circuit comprising of destinations Gaya (Bodhgaya), Varanasi (Sarnath), Kushinagar, Piparva (Kapilvastu) with a day trip to Lumbini in Nepal.

**Circuit 2:** Extended Dharmayatra or Extended Sacred Circuit or  Retracing Buddha’s Footsteps - This is a 10 to 15 day circuit comprising of destinations Bodhgaya (Nalanda, Rajgir, Barabar caves, Pragbodhi Hill, Gaya), Patna (Vaishali, Lauriya Nandangarh, Lauriya Areraj, Kesariya, Patna Museum), Varanasi (Sarnath), Kushinagar, Piparva (Kapilvastu, Shravasti, Sankisa) with a day trip to Lumbini in Nepal.

**Circuit 3:** Buddhist Heritage Trails (State Circuits).

1. Jammu and Kashmir - Ladakh, Srinagar (Harwan, Parihaspora) and Jammu (Ambaran).
2. Himachal Pradesh - Dharamshala, Spiti, Kinnaur and Lahaul.
3. Punjab -  Sanghon.
4. Haryana – Jind (Assam), Yamunanagar(Sugh).
5. Maharashtra - Aurangabad (Ajanta, Ellora, Pithalkora Caves), Pune (Karla Caves), Mumbai (Kanheri Caves), Pune (Bhaja Caves) and Nashik (Pandavleni Caves).
6. Andhra Pradesh - Amravati, Nagarjunakonda, Vizag (Borra Caves, Salihundum Caves).
7. Madhya Pradesh - Sanchi, Satdhara, Andher, Sonari, Murulkurd.
8. Odisha (Dhauli, Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, Udaygiri, Langudi, Khandagiri).
9. Chhattisgarh – Sirpur.
10. West Bengal - Kolkata (Indian Museum)
11. Sikkim - Rumtek, Enchay and other Monasteries.
12. Arunachal Pradesh –Tawang and Bomdila.

(d) & (e): 	Yes, Madam. The Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned project for integrated development of Buddhist Circuit covering three destinations-Dev Ni Mori of District Sabarkantha-Taranga & Vadnagar of District Mehsana, Gujarat for an amount of Rs.523.90 lakh in 2010-11.

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**ANNEXURE**

**STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2234 ANSWERED ON 03.08.2015 REGARDING BUDDHA CIRCUIT.**

**Details of Buddhist Projects carried out by the Ministry of Tourism in the country during last three years**

**(Amt. in Rs. Crore.)**

| **Sl. No.**   | **Year**    | **Name of State**                                                                                                                                         | **Amt.**  **Sanctioned**   | **Amt. Released**   |
|---------------|-------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------|---------------------|
|               |             | **ARUNACHAL PRADESH**                                                                                                                                     |                            |                     |
| **1.**        | **2014-15** | **Development of Mega Circuit at Bhalukpong-Bomdila & Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh**                                                                     | **50.00**                  | **10.00**           |
|               |             | **BIHAR**                                                                                                                                                 |                            |                     |
| **1.**        | **2012-13** | **Development of Antichak, Vikramshila in Bihar**                                                                                                         | **5.00**                   | **1.00**            |
| **2.**        | **2013-14** | **Development of Mega Destinaion Installation of Ropeway at Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Phase-I Rajgir, Bihar**                                                  | **7.22**                   | **1.44**            |
| **3.**        | **2013-14** | **Development of Mega Destinaion Installation of Ropeway at Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Phase-I Rajgir, Bihar**                                                  | **7.22**                   | **1.44**            |
| **4.**        | **2013-14** | **Development of Basic Tourist Facilities and Site Dev. at Pragbodhi, Bodhgaya Bihar**                                                                    | **3.06**                   | **0.61**            |
| **5.**        | **2013-14** | **Development of Kesariya Stupa, Lauriya & Nandangarh Stupa**                                                                                         | **6.89**                   | **1.37**            |
| **6.**        | **2013-14** | **Development of Tourism Infrastructure at Patharkatti, Gaya under Destination in Bihar**                                                                 | **5.00**                   | **1.00**            |
| **7.**        | **2013-14** | **Development of Basic Tourist Facilities and Site Development at Sujata Kuti, Barkrour**                                                                 | **2.83**                   | **0.56**            |
| **8.**        | **2013-14** | **Development of Mega Project in Rajgir Rejuvenation of Pond and development of Infrastructure & Tourist Amenities at Pandu Pokhar, Rajgir in Bihar** | **11.11**                  | **8.88**            |
| **9.**        | **2014-15** | **Cultural Centre, Bodhgaya**                                                                                                                             | **33.17**                  | **6.63**            |

|        |             | **SIKKIM**                                                                                                                  |           |           |
|--------|-------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|-----------|
| **1.** | **2012-13** | **Tourist circuit development along Sleeping Buddha site at singhik connecting Chungthang-Lachen –lachung in North Sikkim** | **8.00**  | **6.40**  |
|        |             | **TELANGANA**                                                                                                               |           |           |
|        | **2012-13** | **Development of Buddhavanam Project at Nagarjunasagar as a Mega Destination in Andhra Pradesh**                            | **22.24** | **17.79** |
|        |             | **UTTAR PRADESH**                                                                                                           |           |           |
| **1.** | **2013-14** | **Development of Bharat Bhari Tourist Destination near Dumariyaganj, Siddharth Nagar in Uttar Pradesh**                     | **4.67**  | **0.01**  |

**In addition to above a loan agreement for an amount equivalent to Japanese Yen 7331 million was signed in the year 2003 with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for Phase II of Ajanta Ellora Conservation and Tourism Development Project.  The work on the project is over and the loan period has ended on 31** **st** **July 2014.**

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