Govt. to launch Swadesh Darshan 2 with destinations selected from 15 States

The Government is going to launch the ‘Swadesh Darshan 2’ Scheme with the sites being selected from 15 States across the country to move forward from theme-based destinations to Potential tourist destinations.

Swadesh Darshan Scheme:

• The Swadesh Darshan Scheme was launched by the Centre in 2014-15 for the integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits.
• Under the scheme, the Ministry of Tourism provides financial assistance to State governments, Union Territory Administrations, or Central Agencies for the development of tourism infrastructure in the country.
• The scheme was envisioned to synergize with other government schemes such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Skill India, and Make in India with the idea of positioning the tourism sector as a major engine for job creation, the driving force for economic growth, building synergy with various sectors to enable tourism to realize its potential.
• Some of the prominent circuits launched under this were the Buddhist tourist circle, Ambedkar Tourist Circle, and the North-East Tourist Circle.

The ‘Swadesh Darshan 2’: (The revamped scheme)

• The Scheme is based on sites that have potential as tourist places and are to be launched in a a phased manner.
• The first phase of the scheme is going to start in January 2023.
• Aim: The objective will move from ‘theme-based tourist’ circuits and focuses on ‘revving up destination tourism’.
• The scheme has been revamped with the mantra of “vocal for local”.
• Fund allocation: The Swadesh Darshan scheme is 100% centrally funded.
• Sites selected:
  • Fifteen States are part of the first phase which includes Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
  • Two destinations from each State have been identified by the Ministry of Tourism.
• Some of the prominent places identified are;
  • Jhansi and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh,
  • Gwalior, Chitrakoot,, and Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh and
  • Ajanta and Ellora in Maharashtra.
• Earlier the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 has been revived to develop sustainable and responsible destinations with a tourist and destination-centric approach.

Need of the Initiative:

• Employment generation: According to the third Tourism Satellite Account for 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20, the contribution of tourism to the employment of the country is 14.78%, 14.87 %,, and 15.34 % respectively.
• Promoting local culture: Local community would immensely benefit as It would help create jobs and that would lead to skill development among the natives.
• More options to explore: the destination divisions such as adventure tourism, beach tourism, wellness tourism, eco-tourism, and several other categories would help segregate the tourists as per their preference.