Parliament Question: Inclusion of Emerging Tourism Trends in SDS 2.0

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2411 ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025 INCLUSION OF EMERGING TOURISM TRENDS IN SDS 2.0 2411. SHRI AZAD KIRTI JHA: SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) the details of the major differences between the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 1.0 and Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 in terms of objectives, themes and implementation strategies along with the specific steps being taken to ensure that tourism development under this scheme is sustainable and responsible; (b) the manner in which the Government justifies the repetition of themes from Scheme 1.0 in Scheme 2.0 without significant innovation; (c) whether the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 has incorporated emerging tourism trends such as Caravan tourism, Gastronomy tourism, Avi tourism and Military tourism, which are gaining popularity post-pandemic, if not, the reasons therefor; (d) whether the Government conducted any studies or consultations to identify these trends and if so, the details thereof along with plans to include said trends into the scheme; (e) the details of the measures being implemented to improve road and air connectivity to iconic and lesser-known tourist destinations in the country along with any targeted investments in the related infrastructure; and (f) the manner in which the Government has any plan to integrate emerging technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) with the Incredible India Content Hub to create more immersive tourism experiences? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (f): Ministry of Tourism launched its ‘Swadesh Darshan scheme (SDS)’ in 2014-15 with the idea to develop tourism infrastructure underidentified thematic tourism circuits in the country. The scheme was revamped as ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’ with the aim to develop sustainable tourism destinations with tourist and destination centric approach and has sanctioned 52 projects. In addition, the Ministry has also sanctioned 36 projects under ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan. Further Government of India under ‘Special Assistance to the States for Capital Investment (SASCI)’ scheme has also sanctioned 40 projects in the country. The projects under the above mentioned scheme were sanctioned on receipt of the project proposals from the States, its assessment, availability of funds, inter-se priority etc. Details of projects sanctioned under SD2.0, CBDD and SASCI is annexed. The Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme recognizes that in order to minimize the negative impacts and maximise positive impacts, sustainable and responsible tourism is a key. It encourages adoption of principles of sustainable tourism including environmental sustainability, socio-cultural sustainability and economic sustainability. The scheme focuses on development of variety of tourism projects including new emerging trends in order to provide enhanced experience to the tourists. No specific study has been undertaken to incorporate emerging trends in Swadesh Darshan scheme. However, the scheme guidelines provide an illustrative list of components which can enhance tourism potential covering tourism core products, tourism activities, performing art infra, sanitation & safety, connectivity & parking, general site development, soft interventions etc. The projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0, CBDD and SASCI schemes include a variety of projects covering various tourism trends and immersive experiences such as beach experience, cave experience, adventure, border experience, meditation centre, convention centre, religious & spiritual aspects, bird sanctuary, historical theme park, tribal culture experience, fort, bio-diversity and eco- recreation, sub-marine tourism etc. In order to provide better connectivity, the Ministry under its schemes also provides assistance for last mile connectivity. The Ministry co-ordinates with concerned line Ministries to improve connectivity including road and air connectivity. As informed by Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), MoCA has launched Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) on 21.10.2016 to enhance regional air connectivity from unserved and underserved airports in the country and make air travel affordable to themasses. During the 3rd round of bidding under the UDAN Scheme, a total of 106 tourism-specific routes were incorporated at the request of Ministry of Tourism. A total of 53 Tourism RCS routes operated till 31.01.2025 under UDAN with 100% VGF support by Ministry of Tourism, providing direct air connectivity to tourist destinations and cultural sites in the country. The government has also announced the launch of modified UDAN Scheme to increase regional connectivity to 120 new destinations across the country and cater to 4 crore passengers in the next 10 years. The scheme will also support helipads and smaller airports in hilly, aspirational and North East Region districts. The Ministry has launched the revamped version of Incredible India Digital Platform (IIDP) as a comprehensive resource of travellers and stakeholders interested in exploring the country’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty and diverse attractions. The IIDP uses an AI-powered tool that personalizes visitor experiences by offering real-time weather updates, city exploration, and essential travel services. The portal has also partnered with several Online Travel Agents (OTAs) and stakeholders for seamless booking of flights, hotels, cabs & buses and tickets for ASI monuments. ********ANNEXURE STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2411 ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025 REGARDING INCLUSION OF EMERGING TOURISM TRENDS IN SDS 2.0 RAISED BY SHRI AZAD KIRTI JHA AND SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH List of sanctioned projects under Swadesh Darshan 2.0:- S State Year of Destination Name of the Sanctioned No. Sanction Experience Cost (₹ Crore) 1 Andhra 2024-25 Bapatala Development of 97.52 Pradesh Suryalanka Beach Experience 2 Andhra 2023-24 Araku- Borra Cave 29.87 Pradesh Lambasingi Experience at Araku 3 Arunachal 2023-24 Nacho Unlock Nacho 14.02 Pradesh Expedition 4 Arunachal 2023-24 Mechuka Mechuka Cultural 18.48 Pradesh Haat 5 Arunachal 2023-24 Mechuka Mechuka Adventure 12.75 Pradesh Park 6 Assam 2023-24 Kokrajhar Kokrajhar Wetland 26.67 Experience 7 Assam 2023-24 Jorhat Reimagining 23.88 Cinnamara Tea Estate 8 Bihar 2024-25 Bodh Gaya Development of the 165.44 Buddhist Meditation & Experience Centre, Bodh Gaya 9 Chhattisgarh 2024-25 Kawardha Bhoramdeo 145.99 Corridor Development, Kabirdham District 10 Dadra Nagar 2024-25 Daman Daman Convention 147.13 & Haveli and Centre Daman & Diu 11 Goa 2023-24 Porvorim Porvorim Creek 24.07 Experience 12 Goa 2023-24 Colva Colva Beach 19.98Experience 13 Haryana 2024-25 Panchkula Development of 26.68 Adventure Tourism Hub at Tikkar Taal and Adventure Park 14 Haryana 2024-25 Panchkula Rejuvenation of 65.82 Yadavindra Garden 15 Himachal 2024-25 Maa Development of 56.26 Pradesh Chintpurni Maa Chintpurni Temple Devi Temple, Una (District - Una) 16 Karnataka 2023-24 Hampi Setting up of 25.63 ‘Traveller nooks’ 17 Karnataka 2023-24 Mysuru Tonga ride Heritage 2.71 experience zone 18 Karnataka 2023-24 Mysuru Ecological 18.48 Experience Zone 19 Kerala 2023-24 Kumarakom Kumarakom Bird 13.92 Sanctuary Experience 20 Kerala 2024-25 Alappuzha Alappuzha: A 93.17 Global Water Wonderland 21 Kerala 2024-25 Malampuzha Enhancement of 75.87 Tourist Experience at Malampuzha Garden and Leisure Park 22 Ladakh 2023-24 Leh Julley Leh 23.16 Biodiversity Park 23 Ladakh 2023-24 Kargil Exploring LOC and 11.91 Hundarman village Experience 24 Lakshadwee 2024-25 Bangaram Enhancement of 81.18 p Tourist Experience at Bangaram 25 Madhya 2023-24 Gwalior Phoolbagh 16.73 Pradesh Experience Zone 26 Madhya 2023-24 Chitrakoot Spiritual 27.21 Pradesh experience at Chitrakoot 27 Madhya 2024-25 Pitambara Development of 44.24Pradesh Peeth, Datia Pitambara Peeth Datia 28 Maharashtra 2023-24 Pune Shivsrushti 76.22 Historical Theme Park- Phase 3 29 Meghalaya 2023-24 Sohra Waterfall Trails 27.84 Experience 30 Meghalaya 2023-24 Sohra Meghalayan Age 32.45 Cave Experience 31 Mizoram 2024-25 Champhai Eco Resort 38.85 Experience at Keilungliah, Zote, Ngur & Mualbuhvum, Champhai 32 Mizoram 2024-25 Champhai Heritage and 33.87 Cultural Centre, Champhai 33 Nagaland 2023-24 Chumoukedim Eco-Tourism Exp at 7.87 a Chumoukedima viewpoint 34 Nagaland 2023-24 Chumuoukedi Tribal Cultural 21.56 ma Experience at Midway Retreat 35 Nagaland 2024-25 Chumuoukedi Adventure Tourism 32.54 ma Experience at Jacob Village, Chumoukediema 36 Puducherry 2023-24 Karaikal Karaikal beach and 20.29 waterfront experience 37 Punjab 2023-24 Kapurthala Eco Tourism 20.06 experience at Kanjli wetland 38 Punjab 2023-24 Amritsar Border Tourism 25.90 Experience at Attari 39 Rajasthan 2023-24 Bundi Spiritual 21.65 Experience, Keshavraipatan 40 Rajasthan 2024-25 Sikar Development works 87.87 at Shri Khatu Shyam Ji Temple(Sikar) 41 Rajasthan 2024-25 Karni Mata Development Works 22.57 temple, at Shri Karni mata Bikaner dist. mandir, Bikaner 42 Rajasthan 2024-25 Malaseri Development of 48.73 Dungari Malaseri Dungri, (District - Bhilwara District Bhilwara) 43 Sikkim 2023-24 Gyalshing Eco-Wellness 15.40 Experience at Yuksom Cluster 44 Sikkim 2023-24 Gangtok Gangtok Cultural 22.59 Village 45 Tamil Nadu 2023-24 Mamallapuram Immersive 30.02 experience at Shore Temple 46 Telangana 2023-24 Bhongir Bhongir Fort 56.81 Experiential Zone 47 Telangana 2023-24 Ananathagiri Eco tourism zone at 38.00 Ananathgiri forest 48 Tripura 2024-25 Agartala Tripura Heritage 48.94 Village & Sangeet Experience at Agartala (Phase-1 &2) 49 Uttar 2023-24 Prayagraj Azad Park and 14.52 Pradesh Dekho Prayagraj Trail Exp 50 Uttar 2023-24 Naimisaranya Vedic- wellness 17.80 Pradesh Experience 51 Uttarakhand 2023-24 Pithoragarh Rural Tourism 17.86 Cluster Experience at Gunji 52 Uttarakhand 2023-24 Champawat Tea Garden 19.89 Experience TOTAL AMOUNT 2108.87List of sanctioned projects under Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan scheme S. State/UT Year of Name of the Project Sanctioned No. Sanction Cost (In ₹ Crore) Andhra 2024-25 1 Ahobilam-A spiritual Odyssey 25.00 Pradesh Andhra 2024-25 Enriching Buddhist Heritage 2 Pradesh and Cultural Experiences at 25.00 Nagarjuna Sagar Arunachal 2024-25 Bichom Dam Adventure & 3 9.90 Pradesh Eco-Tourism Project Arunachal 2024-25 Kibhito Frontier Tourism - 4 4.96 Pradesh Gateway to Serenity Assam 2024-25 Panidhing Bird Sanctuary, 5 9.99 Sivasagar Bihar 2024-25 Development of Tourist 6 Facilities at Sonepur Mela 24.29 Ground, Saran Chhattisgarh 2024-25 Development of Mayali 7 Bagicha as Eco Tourism 9.97 Destination Goa 2024-25 Beautification and 8 Development of Harvalem 9.81 Waterfall at Mayem Village Gujarat 2024-25 Transformation of 9 sharmishtha Lake: Light & 17.29 culture at Vadnagar Gujarat 2024-25 The Sacred Ocean Retreat at 10 24.66 Harsiddhi Shore, Porbandar Gujarat 2024-25 THOL: Transformative Tourism' Harmonious 11 9.96 Sustainability, Optimized Skilling' Leading Technology Himachal 2024-25 Tourism Infrastructure 12 24.82 Pradesh Development at Kaza Himachal 2024-25 Tourism Infrastructure 13 Pradesh Development at Rakchham, 4.96 ChhitkulJharkhand 2024-25 Tourism Infrastructure 14 Development at Ramrekha 18.87 Dham, Simdega Kerala 2024-25 Thalassery: The Spiritual 15 25.00 Nexus 16 Kerala 2024-25 Varkala- Dakshin Kashi 25.00 Ladakh 2024-25 Advancing Mushkoh as a Sustainable Tourism Hub: 17 9.82 Integrating wildlife Sightings and community progress Madhya 2024-25 Medieval Splendor 2.0, 18 25.00 Pradesh Orchha Maharashtra 2024-25 Development of Ahmednagar 19 25.00 Fort Manipur 2024-25 Development of Ancient 20 capital of Manipur, 24.69 Langthabal Konug Meghalaya 2024-25 Mawphlang cultural & 21 24.87 Heritage centre Meghalaya 2024-25 Nartiang Spiritual & Cultural 22 24.87 Centre Nagaland 2024-25 Soulful Trails: The Impur 23 Heritage Experience, Impur 24.94 Village Nagaland 2024-25 Deveropment of wings over 24 Doyang: An Eco-Tourism 10.00 Haven' Doyang Reservoir Puducherry 2024-25 25 Development of White Town 22.19 Punjab 2024-25 Cultural and Heritage Strech 26 at Hussainiwala Border, 25.00 Ferozepur Punjab 2024-25 Heritage street -A symbor of 27 peace and Harmony at Sri 24.90 Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar Sikkim 2024-25 Echoes of Valor: The 28 Gnathang Valley Experience," 5.00 Gnathang Village Sikkim 2024-25 Kabi Chronicles: A journey 29 through Unity and Heritage, 24.96 Kabi, Mangan Tamil Nadu 2024-25 lconic Transformation of 30 20.01 RameswaramTelangana 2024-25 Digital Experience Centre at 31 24.85 Bhuddhavanam in Nalgonda Telangana 2024-25 Development of Eco-TourisJn 32 Proiect at Nizam Sagar, 9.98 Kamareddy Uttar 2024-25 Development of Cultural 33 24.98 Pradesh Landscape at Mahoba Uttarakhand 2024-25 Development of Jadung 34 4.99 Festive Ground', Jadung Uttarakhand 2024-25 Development of Kainchidham 35 17.60 campus, Kainchidham 36 Uttarakhand 2024-25 Mana Haat project 4.99 TOTAL AMOUNT 648.10 List of Projects sanctioned under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI Scheme) - Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale S. State Year of Name of the Project Sanctioned No. Sanction Cost (In ₹ Crore) 1 Andhra 2024-25 Enriching the fort and Gorge 77.91 Pradesh Experience in Gandikota 2 Andhra 2024-25 Akhanda Godavari- (Havelok 94.44 Pradesh Bridge & Pushkar Ghat) in Raja Mahendravaram, 3 Arunachal 2024-25 Siang Adventure & Eco-Retreat 46.48 Pradesh in Pasighat 4 Assam 2024-25 Assam State Zoo Cum Botanical 97.12 Garden in Guwahati 5 Assam 2024-25 Beautification of Rang Ghar in 94.76 Sivasagar 6 Bihar 2024-25 Development of Matsyagandha 97.61 Lake in Saharsa 7 Bihar 2024-25 Karamchat Eco-Tourism and 49.51 Adventure Hub in Karamchat 8 Chhattisgarh 2024-25 Development of Chitrotpala Film 95.79 City in Raipur 9 Chhattisgarh 2024-25 Development of Tribal & 51.87 Cultural Convention Centre inRaipur 10 Goa 2024-25 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj 97.46 Museum in Ponda 11 Goa 2024-25 Townsquare in Porvorim 90.74 12 Gujarat 2024-25 Ecotourism Destination at Kerly 99.50 (Mokarsagar) in Porbandar 13 Gujarat 2024-25 Tented City and Convention 51.56 Centre in Dhordo 14 Jharkhand 2024-25 Eco-Tourism Development of 34.87 Tilaiyya” in Koderma 15 Karnataka 2024-25 Ecotourism & Cultural Hub at 99.17 Roerich and Devika Rani Estate Tataguni in Bengaluru 16 Karnataka 2024-25 Development of Savadatti 100.00 Yallammagudda in Belgavi 17 Kerala 2024-25 Ashtamudi Biodiversity and Eco- 59.71 recreational Hub in Kollam 18 Kerala 2024-25 Global Gateway to Malabar's 95.34 Cultural Crucible in Sargaalayaa 19 Madhya 2024-25 Orchha A Medieval Splendour in 99.92 Pradesh Orchha 20 Madhya 2024-25 International Convention Centre 99.38 Pradesh for MICE in Bhopal 21 Maharashtra 2024-25 INS-Guldar Underwater 46.91 Museum, Artificial Reef, and submarine Tourism in Sindhudurg 22 Maharashtra 2024-25 Development of RAM-KAL PATH 99.14 in Nashik 23 Manipur 2024-25 Loktak Lake Experience in 89.48 Loktak 24 Meghalaya 2024-25 MICE Infrastructure in 99.27 Mawkhanu 25 Meghalaya 2024-25 Redevelopment of Umiam Lake 99.27 in Shillong 26 Odisha 2024-25 Development of Hirakund 99.90 27 Odisha 2024-25 Development of Satkosia 99.99 28 Punjab 2024-25 Development of Heritage Street 53.45 as a tribute to Shaheed-e-Azam,Sardar Bhaghat Singh at Khatkar Kalan in SBS Nagar 29 Rajasthan 2024-25 Development at Amber- 49.31 Nahargarh and Surrounding Area in Jaipur 30 Rajasthan 2024-25 Development at Jalmahal in 96.61 Jaipur 31 Sikkim 2024-25 Skywalk, Bhaleydhunga, 97.37 Yangang in Namchi 32 Sikkim 2024-25 Border Experience in Nathula 68.19 33 Tamil Nadu 2024-25 Development of Nandavanam 99.67 Heritage Park in Mammallapuram 34 Tamil Nadu 2024-25 Garden of Flowers in Devala 70.23 35 Telangana 2024-25 Ramappa Region Sustainable 73.74 Tourism Circuit in Ramappa 36 Telangana 2024-25 Somasilla Wellness & Spiritual 68.10 Retreat in Nallamala 37 Tripura 2024-25 Shakti Peethas Park at Banduar 97.70 in Gomati 38 Uttar 2024-25 Development of Bateshwar in 74.05 Pradesh District-Agra 39 Uttar 2024-25 Integrated Buddhist Tourism 80.24 Pradesh Development in Shrawasti 40 Uttarakhand 2024-25 Iconic City Rishikesh: Rafting 100.00 Base Station in Rishikesh TOTAL AMOUNT 3295.76 *****