(a) whether the Government has formulated any scheme for the integrated development of the Buddhist circuits in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof including the implementation framework, funds allocated and projects earmarked under the proposal for the current year, project and State-wise;
(c) whether the Government intends to cover Sikkim under the proposal; and
(d) if so, the details of projects earmarked and funds allocated for the State?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) and (b): The Ministry of Tourism (MOT) provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for various tourism projects including the development of Buddhist Circuits in the country under “Product/Infrastructure Development for Destinations and Circuits” to various State Governments/Union Territory Administrations subject to availability of funds, inter-se priority and adherence to the scheme guidelines.
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/Private Stake Holders:
Circuit 1: The Dharmayatra or the Sacred Circuit - This will be a 5 to 7 days circuit and will include visits to 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 will be a 10 to 15 day circuit and will include visits to 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).
i. Jammu and Kashmir - Ladakh, Srinagar (Harwan, Parihaspora) and Jammu (Ambaran).
ii. Himachal Pradesh - Dharamshala, Spiti, Kinnaur and Lahaul.
iii. Punjab - Sanghon.
iv. Haryana – Jind (Assan), Yamunanagar(Sugh).
v. Maharashtra -Aurangabad (Ajanta, Ellora, Pithalkora Caves), Pune (Karla Caves), Mumbai (Kanheri Caves), Pune (Bhaja Caves) and Nashik (Pandavleni Caves).
vi. Andhra Pradesh - Amravati, Nagarjunakonda, Vizag (Borra Caves, Salihundum Caves).
vii. Madhya Pradesh - Sanchi, Satdhara, Andher, Sonari, Murulkurd.
viii. Odisha (Dhauli, Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, Udaygiri, Langudi, Khandagiri).
ix. Chhattisgarh – Sirpur.
x. West Bengal - Kolkata (Indian Museum)
xi. Sikkim - Rumtek, Enchay and other Monasteries.
xii. Arunachal Pradesh –Tawang and Bomdila.
(c) and (d): A list of projects sanctioned and amount released for Buddhist Circuits for the State of Sikkim during the 11th and 12th Plan is given at Annexure.
The Government of Sikkim has not prioritized any project in the name of “Buddhist Circuits” in the current financial year.