Lok Sabha Question No. 1276 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-07
Subject: Promotion of Tourism Circuits
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: BALKA SUMAN, KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL, BAIJAYANT "JAY" PANDA, ANUPRIYA SINGH PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1276 ANSWERED ON 07.12.2015

## PROMOTION OF TOURISM CIRCUITS

## 1276. SHRI SUMAN BALKA:

SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

SHRI BAIJAYANT JAY PANDA: SHRIMATI ANUPRIYA PATEL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  scheme  for  the promotion  of  tourism  circuits  in  the  country  and  if  so,  the details thereof along with the funds allocated by the Government in this regard during the last three years and the current year;
- (b) the  revenue  generated  from  such  circuits  during  the  said period;
- (c) whether the Government has any scheme to include 'International  Buddhist  Circuit'  under  the  Swadesh  Darshan Scheme and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether any Bundelkhand circuit scheme has been proposed by the Government in Bundelkhand region and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to include Uttar Pradesh as part  of  the  international  tourism  circuit  in  the  country  to promote  the  culture  of  Uttar  Pradesh  abroad  and  if  so,  the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a): To develop tourism infrastructure in the country, the Ministry of  Tourism  has  introduced  Swadesh  Darshan  scheme  -  Integrated Development  of  Theme-Based  Tourist  Circuits  in  2014-15.    Under the scheme twelve thematic circuits have been identified initially, namely: North-East India Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit,  Krishna Circuit,  Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit & Ramayana  Circuit.  The  details  of  projects  sanctioned  under  the Swadesh Darshan scheme during 2014-15 & current financial year are annexed. (b): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  under  its  various  existing  schemes extends  Central  Financial  Assistance  for  development  of  tourism infrastructure to the State Governments/UT Administrations. However,  maintenance  of  tourism  infrastructure  and  collection  of revenue is not covered under the purview of Ministry of Tourism. (c): Buddhist  Circuit  has  been  identified  as  one  of  the  twelve thematic  circuits  for  development  under  the  Swadesh  Darshan scheme. (d): No, Madam. (e):

The promotion of tourist destinations and products is primarily the responsibility of the concerned State Government/Union Territory Administration. The Ministry of Tourism promotes India as a  holistic  destination  in  the  domestic  and  international  markets, including  the  various  tourism  destinations  and  products  of  every State/Union Territory of the country.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1276 ANSWERED ON 07.12.2015 REGARDING PROMOTION OF TOURISM CIRCUITS.

Details of the projects sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan scheme during 2014-15 & current financial year.

(Rs. in Crore)

| Sl. No.        | State             | Name of the project                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | Sanctioned Amount                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                | Sanctioned Amount   |
|----------------|-------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
| Year- 2014-15  | Year- 2014-15     | Year- 2014-15                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | Year- 2014-15                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | Year- 2014-15       |
| 1.             | Andhra Pradesh    | Development of Kakinada Hope Island Konaseema as World class coastal &                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | Development of Kakinada Hope Island Konaseema as World class coastal &                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | 69.83               |
| 2.             | Arunachal Pradesh | Bhalukpong-Bomdila-Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | Bhalukpong-Bomdila-Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | 50.00               |
| 3.             | Bihar             | Cultural Centre, Bodhgaya                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | Cultural Centre, Bodhgaya                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | 33.17               |
| Year - 2015-16 | Year - 2015-16    | Year - 2015-16                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | Year - 2015-16                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | Year - 2015-16      |
| 1.             | Manipur           | Development of Tourist Circuit in Manipur: Imphal-Moirang-Khongjom-                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | Development of Tourist Circuit in Manipur: Imphal-Moirang-Khongjom-                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | 89.66               |
| 2.             | Sikkim            | Development of Tourist Circuit linking - Rangpo (entry) - Rorathang - Aritar - Phadamchen - Nathang - Sherathang - Tsongmo - Gangtok - Phodong - Mangan - Lachung - Yumthang - Lachen - Thangu - Gurudongmer - Mangan - Gangtok - Tumin Lingee - Singtam (exit) in Sikkim Integrated Development of Eco-Tourism, | Development of Tourist Circuit linking - Rangpo (entry) - Rorathang - Aritar - Phadamchen - Nathang - Sherathang - Tsongmo - Gangtok - Phodong - Mangan - Lachung - Yumthang - Lachen - Thangu - Gurudongmer - Mangan - Gangtok - Tumin Lingee - Singtam (exit) in Sikkim Integrated Development of Eco-Tourism, | 98.05               |
| 3.             | Uttarakhand       | Adventure Sports, Associated Tourism related Infrastructure for Development of Tehri Lake & Surroundings as New Destination-District Tehri, Uttarakhand                                                                                                                                                          | Adventure Sports, Associated Tourism related Infrastructure for Development of Tehri Lake & Surroundings as New Destination-District Tehri, Uttarakhand                                                                                                                                                          | 80.37               |
| 4.             | Rajasthan         | Development of Sambhar Lake Town and Other Destinations under Desert Circuit in Swadesh Darshan Scheme                                                                                                                                                                                                           | Development of Sambhar Lake Town and Other Destinations under Desert Circuit in Swadesh Darshan Scheme                                                                                                                                                                                                           | 63.96               |
| 5.             | Nagaland          | Development of Tribal Circuit Peren -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | Development of Tribal Circuit Peren -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | 97.36               |

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