**Executive Summary**
The Union Ministry of Tourism announced on December 9, 2025, its commitment to bolster tourism infrastructure and sustainable destination development in Maharashtra through the revamped Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0) and Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) schemes. State Governments/UT Administrations must complete projects sanctioned under SD2.0 and CBDD by March 2026. The ministry circulated guidelines for "Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas" in 2025-26.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and CBDD Projects:**
* The ministry has sanctioned 53 and 36 projects under the schemes.
* Aims to enhance visitor experience, strengthen infrastructure, and ensure community participation.
* **Projects Sanctioned in Maharashtra:**
* Under Swadesh Darshan 2.0: Shivsrushti Historical Theme Park – Phase 3 (Sanctioned in 2023-24, ₹76.22 crore).
* Under CBDD: Development of Ahmednagar Fort (Sanctioned in 2024-25, ₹25.00 crore).
* **Homestays in Tribal Areas:**
* The initiative is to promote responsible tourism and enhance livelihood opportunities for tribal communities.
* Financial assistance includes:
* Up to ₹5 lakh for village community requirements.
* Up to ₹5 lakh for the construction of two new rooms per household.
* Up to ₹3 lakh for renovation of existing rooms per household.
* **Project Completion:**
* State Governments/UT Administrations are required to complete the projects sanctioned under SD2.0 and CBDD by March 2026.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments/UT Administrations**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the completion of sanctioned projects.
* **Action Required:** Complete the projects sanctioned under SD2.0 and CBDD initiatives by March 2026; formulate proposals for "Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas".
**Tribal Communities**
* **Impact:** Enhanced livelihood opportunities through homestay development.
* **Action Required:** Adopt sustainable tourism practices; develop homestays using provided financial assistance.
Key Entities Referenced
Swadesh Darshan 2.0: A revamped scheme by the Ministry of Tourism aimed at strengthening tourism infrastructure and sustainable destination development.
Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD): A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism aimed at strengthening tourism infrastructure and sustainable destination development.
Ministry of Tourism: The Union Ministry responsible for promoting tourism in India, and the primary body implementing the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and CBDD schemes.
Maharashtra: The state where tourism development projects are being implemented under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and CBDD schemes.
Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas: Guidelines circulated by the Ministry of Tourism under the Swadesh Darshan scheme to promote responsible tourism and enhance livelihood opportunities in tribal areas by developing homestays.
Ministry of Tourism
Boost to Tourism Development in Maharashtra
under Swadesh Darshan 2.0
प्रव तथ: 09 DEC 2025 6:48PM by PIB Mumbai
: Mumbai, December 9, 2025
The Union Ministry of Tourism has reiterated its commitment to strengthening
tourism infrastructure and sustainable destination development in Maharashtra
under the revamped Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0) and Challenge Based
Destination Development (CBDD) schemes. Under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and
CBDD, the Ministry has sanctioned 53 and 36 projects respectively in the whole
country, with an aim to enhance visitor experience, strengthen infrastructure, and
ensure community participation in tourism development.
Projects Sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and CBDD in Maharashtra Swadesh
Darshan 2.0
o Project: Shivsrushti Historical Theme Park – Phase 3
o Year of Sanction: 2023–24
o Sanctioned Cost: ₹76.22 crore
Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)
o Project: Development of Ahmednagar Fort
o Year of Sanction: 2024–25
o Sanctioned Cost: ₹25.00 crore
The Ministry of Tourism has informed the State Governments/UT Administrations to
complete the projects sanctioned under SD2.0 and CBDD initiatives by March, 2026.
The Ministry of Tourism in 2025-26 has also circulated the guidelines for
‘Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas’ under Swadesh Darshan scheme and
template for formulation of proposal to the State Governments/UT Administrations.
The initiative envisages to develop homestays in tribal areas to promote responsible
tourism and enhance livelihood opportunities for tribal communities and encourage
the stakeholders to adopt sustainable tourism practices in the tribal villages. It
focuses on providing financial assistance of up to ₹5 lakh for village community
requirements, up to ₹5 lakh for the construction of two new rooms for each
household, and up to ₹3 lakh for the renovation of existing rooms for each
household.
This was stated in a written reply by the Union Minister for Culture and Tourism,
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in the Lok Sabha on Monday (November 8, 2025)
in response to a question asked by MP Shri Gowaal Padavi.PIB Mumbai | Sriyanka Chatterjee/ Nitin Fulluke/ Priti Malandkar
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