Integrated Development of Tourist Circuits Around Specific Themes (Swadesh Darshan) & PRASAD: Most Important Topic for 2023 NET, IAS, State-SET (KSET, WBSET, MPSET, etc.), GATE, CUET, Olympiads etc.
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- In 2015 to attract more tourist in the country the modi government had launched a tourist based scheme. Swadesh darshan scheme is based on some of the tourist circuits that will be covered under the PRASAD & swadesh darshan. prasad was launched at the same time that stands for pilgrimage rejuvenation & spiritual augmentation drive. This will lead the central government to develop the heritage cities of the country in a better way to gain more visitors. Under the SDS there will be few tourist circuits that will be covered by the tourist.
The Objective
- Identify & develop theme-based tourist circuits based on interest, sustainability & competitiveness, by integrating resources & local participation of state & local communities.
- Theme-based high-interest tourist circuits to include:
- Pilgrimage & Spirituality – India has a long history of opening itself to all religions & today, each has a vast following in India & overseas. Pilgrimage sites for Hindus, Sufis, Buddhists, Sikhs, Christians, etc. , all offer tremendous potential for development.
- Heritage – Historical places beginning with the Taj Mahal, Red Fort (Delhi) , Ajanta Caves, the temples of South, etc. , all have tremendous potential for further development.
- Culture – Themes around festivals, fairs, cattle fairs, community fairs, all continue to attract large number of tourists each year.
- Eco-tourism – Preserve & promote bio-diversity & ecological conservation through responsible tourism.
The Ministry of Tourism Has Identified 13 Theme-Based Circuits to be Developed
- The Himalayan Circuit
- The Coastal Circuit
- The North-East India Circuit
- The Buddhist Circuit
- The Desert Circuit
- The Krishna Circuit
- The Tribal Circuit
- The Ramayana Circuit
- The Spiritual Circuit
- The Eco Circuit
- The Heritage Circuit
- The Wildlife Circuit
- The Rural Circuit
- The Benefit
- Increased local employment opportunities to generate more incomes & lead to an improved quality of life.
- Preservation of local culture, tradition & customs.
- Development of hotels, guest houses & home-stay opportunities.
- Development of tourism-related service support infrastructure like transport, catering, excursions & retail.
PRASAD – Pilgrimage-Themed Tourist Circuit Development
- Religion and spirituality has a large following in India & each year, millions of people from India & overseas visit sites of religious & spiritual significance.
- To further develop these popular sites, the Government of India announced plans to launch the National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation & Spiritual Augmentation Drive – PRASAD, with an initial allocation of ₹ 100 crore, in the 2014 - 15 Budget.