Question : Swadesh Darshan Scheme

(a) whether the Government has received any proposal from the various State Governments for the development of Tourism Circuits including Thematic Circuits, Rural Circuits, Tribal Circuit and Spiritual Circuits under Swadesh Darshan Scheme and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including Maharashtra;
(b) the quantum of funds released to various States for these Tourism Circuits during the last three years, State/UT-wise, Circuit-wise and year-wise;
(c) the details of thematic circuits Rural circuits, Tribal circuits and Spiritual circuits identified for development under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme;
(d) whether all the identified Tourism circuits have been made operational and if so, the details thereof including the number of tourists participated in each circuit under the said scheme; and
(e) the number of projects completed during the last three years along with the new projects undertaken by the Government including Tourism Circuits, development of Iconic Tourist sites and special tourism zones State/UT-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SHRI K.J. ALPHONS)

(a) to (e): Under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of Ministry of Tourism, fifteen thematic circuits have been identified for development namely; North East Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Heritage Circuit, Sufi Circuit and Tirthankar Circuit.

The submission of proposals by the State Governments/UT Administrations under the scheme is a continuous process. The projects are sanctioned subject to availability of funds, submission of suitable detailed project reports, adherence to scheme guidelines and utilization of funds released earlier.

The details of projects sanctioned under various thematic circuits of the scheme including Maharashtra is annexed. All the projects sanctioned under the scheme are at various stages of implementation.

No project has been sanctioned under Development of Special Tourism Zones Scheme and Iconic Tourist Sites Project.

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