## Policy Summary: Promotion of Religious and Tea Tourism in Jalpaiguri (Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2440)
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Tourism's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2440, answered on August 4, 2025, regarding the promotion of religious and tea tourism in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal.
The Ministry of Tourism clarifies that the development and promotion of tourist destinations are primarily the responsibility of the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. However, the Ministry complements these efforts through central sector schemes such as Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), and Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD). Financial assistance is extended to State Governments/UT Administrations subject to fund availability, adherence to scheme guidelines, and submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs). The Government of India also provides financial assistance to States for tourism projects under its initiative for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI).
Currently, there are no projects enlisted for consideration for sanctioning in the Jalpaiguri district. However, the Ministry of Tourism promotes various tourist destinations and products of the country, including those in West Bengal, in both international and domestic markets through social media, promotional websites, and events.
The annexure details projects sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme in West Bengal, including the "Development of Beach Circuit: Udaipur – Digha – Shankarpur – Tajpur – Mandarmani – Fraserganj – Bakkhlai – Henry Island" sanctioned in 2015-16 with a sanctioned cost of INR 67.99 crore. It also lists projects sanctioned under the PRASHAD Scheme, including the "Development of Belur Math" sanctioned in 2016-17 with a sanctioned amount of INR 30.03 crore.
Key Entities Referenced
Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal: A district in the state of West Bengal, India, known for its religious sites and tea tourism potential.
Swadesh Darshan 2.0: A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, focused on integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits.
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive PRASHAD: A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, aimed at holistic development of identified pilgrimage destinations.
Lataguri: A tourist site located in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal.
Gorumara: A tourist site located in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal, likely referring to Gorumara National Park.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Tourism, Government of India, responsible for answering the parliamentary question.
Udaipur, Digha, Shankarpur, Tajpur, Mandarmani, Fraserganj, Bakkhlai, Henry Island: Locations forming part of the Coastal Development of Beach Circuit project under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme in West Bengal.
Belur Math: A prominent monastery and pilgrimage site in West Bengal, which received funding under the PRASHAD scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2440
ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025
PROMOTION OF RELIGIOUS AND TEA TOURISM IN JALPAIGURI
2440. DR. JAYANTA KUMAR ROY:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has sanctioned any projects for Jalpaiguri
district of West Bengal under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 or Pilgrimage
Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)
scheme, particularly for promoting religious and tea tourism; and
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/being taken to
develop infrastructure and tourist amenities in Lataguri, Gorumara
and other tourist sites in the said district?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (b): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and tourism
products is primarily undertaken by the respective State Government/
Union Territory (UT) Administration. However, the Ministry of Tourism
through its central sector schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD)’, ‘Swadesh
Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’ –
a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan and ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and
Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ complements the
efforts of tourism infrastructure development by extending financial
assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations; subject to
availability of funds, adherence to scheme guidelines, submission of
Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) by the State Government/UT
Administration.In addition, Government of India under its initiative for ‘Special
Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)’ has also provided
financial assistance to the States for development of tourism projects.
The details of the projects sanctioned along-with funds allocated
under aforesaid schemes in the state of West Bengal is Annexed. There is
no project presently enlisted for consideration before the Ministry for
sanctioning in the district of Jalpaiguri.
The Ministry of Tourism as part of its ongoing promotional activities
regularly promotes various tourist destinations and tourism products of
the country including West Bengal in the international and domestic
markets through social media, promotional websites, events etc.
********ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.2440 ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025 REGARDING PROMOTION
OF RELIGIOUS AND TEA TOURISM IN JALPAIGURI RAISED BY DR.
JAYANTA KUMAR ROY
Details of Project sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme in the State
of West Bengal:
(Amount in ₹Crore)
S. Circuit / Name of the Project Sanctioned
Cost
No. Sanction
Year
1 Coastal Development of Beach Circuit: Udaipur- 67.99
Circuit
Digha- Shankarpur- Tajpur- Mandarmani-
2015-16
Fraserganj-Bakkhlai- Henry Island
List of projects sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme in the State of West
Bengal:
S. Project Name Sanction Sanction Amount
No.
Year (in ₹ Crores)
1 Development of Belur Math 2016-17 30.03
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