Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) revamped
Recently, the Ministry of Tourism has amended the Swadesh Darshan Scheme for building sustainable infrastructure.
- The Ministry of Tourism has revamped its Swadesh Darshan Scheme as Swadesh Darshan 0 (SD2.0). SD2.0 as an overall mission will develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations in India.
- Swadesh Darshan Scheme was launched in the year 2014 as a Central Sector Scheme. This scheme was launched for the integrated development of theme based tourism circuits (Buddhist circuits, coastal circuits etc.).
- Under this scheme, the Ministry of Tourism provides central financial assistance to the States and Union Territories for the development of tourism circuit infrastructure.
- Coordination has been established between Swadesh Darshan Yojana and other schemes like Skill India, Make in India etc. Other objectives of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme include creating employment in the tourism sector, and establishing it as a major engine of economic growth.
Key Features of Swadesh Darshan 2.0:
- To develop norms and standards for general and theme-based development of tourism.
- The major themes under this are: Culture and Heritage based tourism, Adventure activity based tourism etc.
- Adopting principles of sustainable tourism including environmental, socio-cultural and economic sustainability.
- To develop Tier-2 and Tier-3 destinations to promote domestic tourism.
- The state government will nominate the implementing agency for the projects under Swadesh Darshan 0. Along with this, we will inform the Ministry of Tourism in this regard.
- Swadesh Darshan 0 is a 100% centrally funded scheme. Funds will be sanctioned and released to the implementing agency as per the guidelines of the scheme.
Tourism Sector in India:
In the year 2020, it contributed US$ 121.9 billion to India’s GDP. Also, it had created 39 million job opportunities.
Other initiatives have also been taken in the tourism sector: Namaste India, Incredible India, and Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual and Heritage Promotion Campaign (PRASAD) etc.
Source – The Hindu
