Lok Sabha Question No. 1159 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Scheme for Promotion of Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Anurag Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1159 ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

## SCHEME FOR PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE TOURISM

## 1159. SHRI ANURAG SHARMA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has recently introduced or plans to introduce a  new scheme aimed at promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism across the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  key  objectives,  components  and  target  regions  of  this  new scheme,  particularly  developing  lesser-known  destinations,  cultural circuit and eco-tourism projects;
- (c) the details of the measures being undertaken to improve infrastructure, digital  connectivity,  and  safety  standards  at  tourist  sites  under  this initiative;
- (d) the manner in which the scheme proposes to provide skill development and livelihood opportunities for local communities, artisans and youth in tourism-dependent regions;
- (e) the details of the total budgetary allocation for the scheme during the current financial year; and
- (f) the details of coordination between the Central and State Governments for effective implementation of the scheme?

## ANSWER

(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(a) to (f): Development and promotion of tourism destinations and products is  primarily  undertaken  by  the  concerned  State  Government  (SG)/Union Territory Administration (UTA). However, the Ministry of Tourism through its various schemes provides financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations for development of tourism infrastructure and experiences in the country, on receipt of the project proposals from the concerned SGs/UTAs under the relevant schemes,  in synergy with the scheme  guidelines, Government instructions, availability of funds etc.

The  Ministry  of  Tourism  revamped  its  Swadesh  Darshan  scheme  as Swadesh  Darshan  2.0 with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations with focus on enhancing tourism amenities and experiences in the country including lesser-known destinations, cultural and eco-tourism regions. The scheme guidelines also envisage development of  both  hard  and  soft  interventions  including  tourism  products,  capacity building, digitization etc.

In  addition,  the  Ministry  with  the  objective  to  undertake  holistic development of the destinations to enhance tourist experience has sanctioned 36 projects in the country under 'Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)' a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan scheme. The projects sanctioned under  the  above-mentioned  initiatives  provide  direct  as  well  as  indirect employment opportunities in the region.

The projects under SD2.0 and CBDD are implemented by the concerned State  Governments/UT  Administrations,  whereas  the  Ministry  of  Tourism regularly reviews the progress of the sanctioned projects. The institutional framework the scheme also includes provisions for co-ordination between the SGs/UTAs  and  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  for  effective  implementation  of  the scheme. The total Budget Estimates (BE) for Swadesh Darshan scheme for the year 202526 is ₹1900 Crore.

In addition, Ministry of Tourism has put in place the Scheme of "Capacity Building  for  Service  Providers"  (CBSP)  to  provide  education,  training  and certification to the tourism service providers with the objective to make them employable which includes local communities, artisans and youth. The total budgetary allocation for the scheme during the current financial year is ₹25 Crore. Implementing agencies for conducting the training include State Hotel Management Institutes.

The details of the projects sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and  CBDD  including  those  in  less  known  regions,  cultural  and  eco-tourism areas are annexed.

******

ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (f)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.1159  ANSWERED  ON  08 . 12 . 2025  REGARDING  SCHEME  FOR PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE TOURISM RAISED BY SHRI ANURAG SHARMA.

## 1. Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme:

|   S. No. | State             | Year of Sanction   | Destination       | Name of the Experience                                               |   Sanctioned Cost (₹ Crore) |
|----------|-------------------|--------------------|-------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
|        1 | Andhra Pradesh    | 2024-25            | Bapatala          | Development of Suryalanka Beach Experience                           |                       97.52 |
|        2 | Andhra Pradesh    | 2023-24            | Araku- Lambasingi | Borra Cave Experience at Araku                                       |                       29.88 |
|        3 | Arunachal Pradesh | 2023-24            | Nacho             | Unlock Nacho Expedition                                              |                       14.02 |
|        4 | Arunachal Pradesh | 2023-24            | Mechuka           | Mechuka Cultural Haat                                                |                       18.48 |
|        5 | Arunachal Pradesh | 2023-24            | Mechuka           | Mechuka Adventure Park                                               |                       12.75 |
|        6 | Assam             | 2023-24            | Kokrajhar         | Kokrajhar Wetland Experience                                         |                       26.67 |
|        7 | Assam             | 2023-24            | Jorhat            | Reimagining Cinnamara Tea Estate                                     |                       23.88 |
|        8 | Bihar             | 2024-25            | Bodh Gaya         | Development of the Buddhist Meditation &Experience Centre, Bodh Gaya |                      165.44 |

|   9. | Chhattisgarh                        | 2024-25   | Kawardha                               | Bhoramdeo Corridor Development, Kabirdham District                     |   145.99 |
|------|-------------------------------------|-----------|----------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------|
|   10 | Dadra Nagar & Haveli and Daman &Diu | 2024-25   | Daman                                  | Daman Convention Centre                                                |   147.13 |
|   11 | Goa                                 | 2023-24   | Porvorim                               | Porvorim Creek Experience                                              |    24.07 |
|   12 | Goa                                 | 2023-24   | Colva                                  | Colva Beach Experience                                                 |    19.89 |
|   13 | Haryana                             | 2024-25   | Panchkula                              | Development of Adventure Tourism Hub at Tikkar Taal and Adventure Park |    26.68 |
|   14 | Haryana                             | 2024-25   | Panchkula                              | Rejuvenation of Yadavindra Garden                                      |    65.82 |
|   15 | Himachal Pradesh                    | 2024-25   | Maa Chintpurni Temple (District - Una) | Development of Maa Chintpurni Devi Temple, Una                         |    56.26 |
|   16 | Karnataka                           | 2023-24   | Hampi                                  | Setting up of 'Traveller nooks'                                        |    25.64 |
|   17 | Karnataka                           | 2023-24   | Mysuru                                 | Tonga ride Heritage experience zone                                    |     2.72 |
|   18 | Karnataka                           | 2023-24   | Mysuru                                 | Ecological Experience Zone                                             |    18.48 |
|   19 | Kerala                              | 2023-24   | Kumarakom                              | Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Experience                                    |    13.81 |
|   20 | Kerala                              | 2024-25   | Alappuzha                              | Alappuzha: A Global Water Wonderland                                   |    93.18 |

|   21. | Kerala         | 2024-25   | Malampuzha             | Enhancement of Tourist Experience at Malampuzha Garden and Leisure Park   |   75.87 |
|-------|----------------|-----------|------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|
|    22 | Ladakh         | 2023-24   | Leh                    | Julley Leh Biodiversity Park                                              |   23.17 |
|    23 | Ladakh         | 2023-24   | Kargil                 | Exploring LOC and Hundarman village Experience                            |   11.91 |
|    24 | Lakshadweep    | 2024-25   | Bangaram               | Enhancement of Tourist Experience at Bangaram                             |   81.18 |
|    25 | Madhya Pradesh | 2023-24   | Gwalior                | Phoolbagh Experience Zone                                                 |   16.74 |
|    26 | Madhya Pradesh | 2023-24   | Chitrakoot             | Spiritual experience at Chitrakoot                                        |   27.21 |
|    27 | Madhya Pradesh | 2024-25   | Pitambara Peeth, Datia | Development of Pitambara Peeth Datia                                      |   44.24 |
|    28 | Maharashtra    | 2023-24   | Pune                   | Shivsrushti Historical Theme Park- Phase 3                                |   76.22 |
|    29 | Meghalaya      | 2023-24   | Sohra                  | Waterfall Trails Experience                                               |   27.6  |
|    30 | Meghalaya      | 2023-24   | Sohra                  | Meghalayan Age Cave Experience                                            |   32.45 |
|    31 | Mizoram        | 2024-25   | Champhai               | Eco Resort Experience at Keilungliah, Zote, Ngur&Mualbuhv um, Champhai    |   38.85 |

|   32. | Mizoram    | 2024-25   | Champhai                         | Heritage and Cultural Centre, Champhai                       |   33.87 |
|-------|------------|-----------|----------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------|---------|
|    33 | Mizoram    | 2025-26   | Thingsulthli ah                  | Construction of Conference Centre                            |   99.71 |
|    34 | Nagaland   | 2023-24   | Chumoukedi ma                    | Eco-Tourism Exp at Chumoukedima viewpoint                    |    7.87 |
|    35 | Nagaland   | 2023-24   | Chumuouke dima                   | Tribal Cultural Experience at Midway Retreat                 |   21.56 |
|    36 | Nagaland   | 2024-25   | Chumuouke dima                   | Adventure Tourism Experience at Jacob Village, Chumoukediema |   32.54 |
|    37 | Puducherry | 2023-24   | Karaikal                         | Karaikal beach and waterfront experience                     |   20.29 |
|    38 | Punjab     | 2023-24   | Kapurthala                       | Eco Tourism experience at Kanjli wetland                     |   20.06 |
|    39 | Punjab     | 2023-24   | Amritsar                         | Border Tourism Experience at Attari                          |   25.91 |
|    40 | Rajasthan  | 2023-24   | Bundi                            | Spiritual Experience, Keshavraipatan                         |   21.65 |
|    41 | Rajasthan  | 2024-25   | Sikar                            | Development works at Shri Khatu Shyam Ji Temple (Sikar)      |   87.87 |
|    42 | Rajasthan  | 2024-25   | Karni Mata temple, Bikaner dist. | Development Works at Shri Karni mata mandir, Bikaner         |   22.58 |

| 43.          | Rajasthan     | 2024-25      | Malaseri Dungari (District - Bhilwara)   | Development of MalaseriDungri, Bhilwara District                        |   48.73 |
|--------------|---------------|--------------|------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|
| 44.          | Sikkim        | 2023-24      | Gyalshing                                | Eco-Wellness Experience at Yuksom Cluster                               |   15.41 |
| 45.          | Sikkim        | 2023-24      | Gangtok                                  | Gangtok Cultural Village                                                |   22.6  |
| 46.          | Tamil Nadu    | 2023-24      | Mamallapur am                            | Immersive experience at Shore Temple                                    |   30.02 |
| 47.          | Telangana     | 2023-24      | Bhongir                                  | Bhongir Fort Experiential Zone                                          |   56.82 |
| 48.          | Telangana     | 2023-24      | Ananathagiri                             | Eco tourism zone at Ananathgiri forest                                  |   38.01 |
| 49.          | Tripura       | 2024-25      | Agartala                                 | Tripura Heritage Village & Sangeet Experience at Agartala (Phase- 1 &2) |   48.95 |
| 50.          | Uttar Pradesh | 2023-24      | Prayagraj                                | Azad Park and Dekho Prayagraj Trail Exp                                 |   14.52 |
| 51.          | Uttar Pradesh | 2023-24      | Naimisarany a                            | Vedic- wellness Experience                                              |   17.8  |
| 52.          | Uttarakhand   | 2023-24      | Pithoragarh                              | Rural Tourism Cluster Experience at Gunji                               |   17.86 |
| 53.          | Uttarakhand   | 2023-24      | Champawat                                | Tea Garden Experience                                                   |   19.89 |
| TOTAL AMOUNT | TOTAL AMOUNT  | TOTAL AMOUNT | TOTAL AMOUNT                             | TOTAL AMOUNT                                                            | 2208.27 |

## (ii ) Details of Project sanctioned under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan scheme:

| S. No.              | State/UT   | Year of Sanction                                                        | Name of the Project                 | Category   | Sanctioned Cost (₹ Crore)   |
|---------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------|-----------------------------|
| 1 Andhra Pradesh    | 2024-25    | Ahobilam-A spiritual Odyssey                                            | Spiritual Tourism                   | 25.00      |                             |
| 2 Andhra Pradesh    | 2024-25    | Enriching Buddhist Heritage and Cultural Experiences at Nagarjuna Sagar | Culture & Heritage                  | 25.00      |                             |
| 3 Arunachal Pradesh | 2024-25    | Bichom Dam Adventure & Eco- Tourism Project                             | Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites | 9.90       |                             |
| 4 Arunachal Pradesh | 2024-25    | Kibhito Frontier Tourism - Gateway to Serenity                          | Vibrant Village Programme           | 4.96       |                             |
| Assam               | 2024-25    | Panidhing Bird Sanctuary, Sivasagar                                     | Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites | 9.99       | 5                           |
| Bihar               | 2024-25    | Development of Tourist Facilities at Sonepur Mela Ground, Saran         | Culture & Heritage                  | 24.29      | 6                           |
| 7 Chhattisgarh      | 2024-25    | Development of MayaliBagicha as Eco Tourism Destination                 | Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites |            | 9.97                        |
| 8 Goa               | 2024-25    | Beautification and Development of Harvalem Waterfall at Mayem Village   | Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites |            | 9.81                        |
| 9 Gujarat           | 2024-25    | Transformation of sharmishtha Lake: Light & culture at Vadnagar         | Culture & Heritage                  |            | 17.29                       |

| 10               | Gujarat   | 2024-25                                                                                               | The Sacred Ocean Retreat at Harsiddhi Shore, Porbandar   | Spiritual Tourism   |   24.66 |
|------------------|-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|---------|
| Gujarat          | 2024-25   | THOL: Transformative Tourism' Harmonious Sustainability, Optimized Skilling' Leading Technology       | Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites                      | 9.96                |   11    |
| Himachal Pradesh | 2024-25   | Tourism Infrastructure Development at Kaza                                                            | Culture & Heritage                                       | 24.82               |   12    |
| Himachal Pradesh | 2024-25   | Tourism Infrastructure Development at Rakchham, Chhitkul                                              | Vibrant Village Programme                                | 4.96                |   13    |
| Jharkhand        | 2024-25   | Tourism Infrastructure Development at Ramrekha Dham, Simdega                                          | Spiritual Tourism                                        | 18.87               |   14    |
| Kerala           | 2024-25   | Thalassery: The Spiritual Nexus                                                                       | Spiritual Tourism                                        | 25.00               |   15    |
| Kerala           | 2024-25   | Varkala- Dakshin Kashi                                                                                | Culture & Heritage                                       | 25.00               |   16    |
| Ladakh           | 2024-25   | Advancing Mushkoh as a Sustainable Tourism Hub: Integrating wildlife Sightings and community progress | Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites                      | 9.82                |   17    |
| Madhya Pradesh   | 2024-25   | Medieval Splendor 2.0, Orchha                                                                         | Spiritual Tourism                                        | 25.00               |   18    |
| 19 Maharashtra   | 2024-25   | Development of Ahmednagar Fort                                                                        | Culture & Heritage                                       |                     |   25    |
| 20 Manipur       | 2024-25   | Development of Ancient capital of Manipur, LangthabalKonug                                            | Culture & Heritage                                       |                     |   24.69 |

| 21            | Meghalaya   | 2024-25                                                                        | Mawphlang cultural & Heritage centre   | Culture & Heritage   | 24.87   |
|---------------|-------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------|---------|
| 22 Meghalaya  | 2024-25     | Nartiang Spiritual & Cultural Centre                                           | Spiritual Tourism                      | 24.87                |         |
| Nagaland      | 2024-25     | Soulful Trails: The Impur Heritage Experience, Impur Village                   | Spiritual Tourism                      | 24.94                | 23      |
| 24 Nagaland   | 2024-25     | Development of wings over Doyang: An Eco-Tourism Haven' Doyang Reservoir       | Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites    | 10.00                |         |
| 25 Puducherry | 2024-25     | Development of White Town                                                      | Culture & Heritage                     |                      | 22.19   |
| 26 Punjab     | 2024-25     | Cultural and Heritage Strech at Hussainiwala Border, Ferozepur                 | Culture & Heritage                     | 25.00                |         |
| 27 Punjab     | 2024-25     | Heritage street -A Symbol of peace and Harmony at Sri Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar | Spiritual Tourism                      | 24.90                |         |
| 28 Sikkim     | 2024-25     | Echoes of Valor: The Gnathang Valley Experience," Gnathang Village             | Vibrant Village Programme              | 5.00                 |         |
| 29 Sikkim     | 2024-25     | Kabi Chronicles: A journey through Unity and Heritage, Kabi, Mangan            | Spiritual Tourism                      | 24.96                |         |
| 30 Tamil Nadu | 2024-25     | lconic Transformation of Rameswaram                                            | Spiritual Tourism                      |                      | 20.01   |
| 31 Telangana  | 2024-25     | Digital Experience Centre at Bhuddhavanam in Nalgonda                          | Culture & Heritage                     |                      | 24.85   |

| 32    | Telangana     | 2024-25   | Development of Eco- Tourism Project at Nizam Sagar, Kamareddy   | Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites   |   9.98 |
|-------|---------------|-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|--------|
| 33    | Uttar Pradesh | 2024-25   | Development of Cultural Landscape at Mahoba                     | Culture & Heritage                    |  24.98 |
| 34    | Uttarakhand   | 2024-25   | Development of Jadung Festive Ground', Jadung                   | Vibrant Village Programme             |   4.99 |
| 35    | Uttarakhand   | 2024-25   | Development of Kainchidham campus, Kainchidham                  | Spiritual Tourism                     |  17.6  |
| 36    | Uttarakhand   | 2024-25   | Mana Haat project                                               | Vibrant Village Programme             |   4.99 |
| Total | Total         | Total     | Total                                                           | Total                                 | 648.11 |

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