Swadesh Darshan Scheme

Swadesh Darshan Scheme
Govt Scheme

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, developed the Swadesh Darshan Scheme for the integrated development of theme-based tourism circuits. The initiative intends to promote, develop, and capitalise on India's tourist potential.

The Swadesh Darshan Scheme, its goal, relevance, and more will be covered in depth in this article.

Candidates taking various government exams should be aware of the facts surrounding the Swadesh Darshan initiative. Under the general awareness section of most competitive tests, aspirants may be given questions based on the plan.

Swadesh Darshan

• Swadesh Darshan is a scheme run by the Central Sector.


• The Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Government of India, launched it in 2014-15.


• It is a country with theme-based tourist circuits. These tourism circuits will be built in an integrated way, based on the concepts of high tourist value, competitiveness, and sustainability.


• The Swadesh Darshan has selected 15 thematic circuits for development.


• The Ministry of Tourism offers Central Financial Assistance - CFA to State Governments and Union Territory Administrations for the building of circuit infrastructure under the Swadesh Darshan plan.


• This scheme is envisioned to synergise with other schemes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Skill India, Make in India etc. 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 realise its potential.

What is a Tourist Circuit? 
A tourist circuit is a path that connects at least three important tourist locations that are not in the same town, village, or city and are not separated by a significant distance. Entry and exit locations for tourist circuits should be clearly marked. As a result, a visitor who enters should feel compelled to see the majority of the circuit's points of interest.

Theme-based Tourist Circuits are now circuits centred on certain topics like religion, culture, ethnicity, speciality, and so on. A theme-based circuit might be limited to a single state or can be a regional circuit that spans many states or Union territories.

Swadesh Darshan Scheme – Objectives

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   1. To design and prioritise the development of circuits with tourism potential.
   
   
   2. Integrated development of a theme-based circuit that has been identified.
   
   
   3. To encourage local communities to participate actively in the creation of jobs.
   
   
   4. Follow a pro-poor tourism and community-based development strategy.
   
   
   5. Promote the country's cultural and historic values.
   
   
   6. To improve the tourism appeal of circuits or locations in a sustainable way by creating world-class infrastructure.
   
   
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   8. To raise awareness of the relevance of tourism to local communities in terms of greater revenue, improved living conditions, and general development.
   
   
   
   

• To produce livelihoods in the targeted regions by promoting local art, handicraft, culture, food, and so on.


• To maximise tourism's potential for job creation and economic growth, both directly and indirectly.


• To make use of the public's capital and knowledge.

Aim of Swadesh Darshan Scheme

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   1. Tourism promotion as a driver of economic growth and employment development.
   
   
   2. Creating a world-class tourism attraction in India.
   
   
   3. Creating theme-based circuits, such as ecotourism, that combine environmental and cultural preservation.
   
   
   4. Professionalism and modernity in tourist development, with a focus on infrastructural development.
   
   
   5. Providing all-inclusive tourism by boosting visitor appeal in a sustainable way.
   
   
   
   

Swadesh Darshan – 15 Theme Based Circuits

• The Buddha Circuit includes the most prominent Buddhist pilgrimage places. Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh are among the states covered. Here's all you need to know about the Buddha Circuit.


• Coastal Circuit - The Coastal Circuit intends to boost India's status as a "Sun, Sea, and Surf" country. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, and other states share India's long coastline (7,517 kilometres). Andaman & Nicobar Islands are also part of the coastal circuit. On the linked website, you may learn more about India's Coastal Plains.


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• The desert circuit in India is a specialised tourism circuit that attracts visitors from all over the world. India is blessed with not just flowing rivers and immense forests, but also immense deserts. The Thar Desert's sand dunes and scorching temperatures, the arid areas of Kutch, and the dry and chilly slopes of Ladakh and Himachal all draw a large number of tourists.


• Ecotourism Circuit - The Ecotourism circuit strives to foster a positive relationship between tourists and environment. The circuit intends to establish natural and environment-friendly sites so that international and domestic tourists may enjoy India's unique eco-tourism goods.The states covered are Kerala, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Mizoram and Jharkhand.


• Heritage Circuit — With 36 Unesco world legacy sites and another 36 on the tentative list, India is blessed with a rich and dynamic heritage and culture. The historic circuit attempts to address the demands of the global visitor by focusing on preservation, sustainability, and improved interpretive components. Rajasthan, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Puducherry, Punjab, Uttrakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana are the states covered by this circuit.


• Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim are all part of the North East Circuit, which involves tourist-oriented development.


• The Himalayan Circuit pays honour to the Indian Himalayan Region, which occupies the crucial location of the country's whole northern border. Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the North-East area are all part of the Indian Himalayan Region.


• Sufi Circuit — This circuit in India honours the country's long-standing Sufi culture. The Sufi Tradition and Sufi saints are still honoured throughout the country, teaching the way of unity in variety, communal harmony, and establishing their own distinctive music, art, and culture. On the linked website, you may learn more about Sufism in India.


• The Krishna Circuit - tourism in India has long been linked to religion. Religion and spirituality have long been popular reasons for people to travel, and many important tourist sites have sprung up as a result. The construction of the Krishna circuit is primarily focused on building locations related with Lord Krishna's stories throughout several states and specially for haryana and rajasthan.


• Ramayana Circuit - The construction of the Ramayana circuit is primarily targeted at enhancing areas linked with Lord Rama's tales around the country in order to improve and facilitate visitor experiences at these areas. The state of Uttar Pradesh is the centre of this circuit.


• Rural Circuit - The establishment of the Rural Circuit aims to use tourism as a force multiplier to revitalise the rural economy and to provide both local and foreign tourists with a look of the “True” India. Rural Circuit Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism and Bihar Gandhi Circuit: Bhitiharwa – Chandrahia – Turkaulia are included in the circuit.


• Spiritual Circuit - With over 330 million people travelling for spirituality each year across the world, it's no surprise that India, the "Land of Spirituality," need tourism facilities for these places all across the country. India is a "Must" destination for spiritual travellers domestically and worldwide since it is the origin of four main faiths – Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism – as well as a hospitable storehouse of all major and micro-minority religious views throughout history. Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Puducherry are among the states highlighted by the spiritual circuit.


• Tirthankar Circuit – There are innumerable Jain Shrines that dot the landscape of the country and talk about the association with the lives and activities of the Jain Tirthankaras, who have always spread the message of non-violence, love, and enlightenment. From a separate and unique style of architecture to cuisine and crafts, Tirthankar circuit aims at developing all the destinations of interest to the tourists.


• Wildlife Circuit - India is an animals tourist hotspot due to its diverse wildlife. The wildlife circuits aim to promote "Sustainable," "Ecological," and "Nature Centric" development in India's numerous national and state wildlife preserves and sanctuaries. Assam and Madhya Pradesh are the states under scrutiny. Continue reading the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 at the provided link.


• Tribal Circuit - Even in today's contemporary world, India's tribal people has managed to retain its old rites, customs, and culture. The tribal circuits are designed to provide the "Modern Traveller" with an up-close and personal look at India's colourful tribal traditions, culture, festivals, and crafts.