Swadesh Darshan 2.0 to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations

With the objective to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations, the Ministry of Tourism has recently revamped the Swadesh Darshan scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0. Around 57 tourism destinations have been identified for development under the scheme. A sub-scheme named Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) has been formulated under SD2.0, aiming for the holistic development of destinations to enhance tourist experience.  

Under Swadesh Darshan 2.0, the Ministry provides funds to the administration of states, UTs and central agencies for development of tourism infrastructure at existing as well as new destinations. The Government has sanctioned a total of Rs 644 crore to enhance tourism in different states and has identified 42 destinations under the CBBD Scheme along with 11 spiritual destinations,10 ecotourism sites and Amrit Dharohar destinations.

Telangana was sanctioned the highest amount under the scheme at around Rs 94 crore, followed by Meghalaya with Rs 60 crore and Andhra Pradesh with Rs 29 crore. In CBDD sub-scheme, Uttarakhand remained the priority under the spiritual tourism category.

Additionally, it has undertaken, Destination Based Skill Development training programme at various places in the country to train, upgrade and sensitise the local people residing near the tourist sites and destinations. Under the initiative, around 12,187 candidates have been trained at 145 destinations.