Question : Buddha Circuit

(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?

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).

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 (Assam), 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.

(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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