Jammu and Kashmir has been allocated Rs 524.49 crore for the development of six significant tourism infrastructure projects under the Central government’s former Swadesh Darshan scheme. A total of Rs 457.10 crore has already been disbursed or authorized for these initiatives, the Union Ministry of Tourism announced on Thursday.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that these projects were approved in the 2016-17 fiscal year as part of the Himalayan circuit. The sanctioned projects are designed to enhance tourist experiences across various key destinations and routes, encompassing Jammu, Kashmir, and areas that also connect to Ladakh. Specific routes targeted for development include the Jammu-Srinagar-Pahalgam-Bhagwati Nagar-Anantnag-Salamabad-Uri-Kargil-Leh corridor, alongside facilities in Jammu, Rajouri, Shopian, and Pulwama. Additionally, provisions have been made for assets to reconstruct infrastructure lost during the devastating floods of 2014.
Further planned developments include tourist facilities at Mantalai and Sudhmahadev. Other circuits identified for enhancement are the Anantnag-Pulwama-Kishtwar-Pahalgam-Zanskar Padum-Daksum-Ranjit Sagar Dam route and the Gulmarg-Baramulla-Kupwara-Kargil-Leh axis. These comprehensive plans aim to bolster the tourism potential across the Union Territory.
The disclosure of these figures was made by the Union Minister of Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, during a session in the Rajya Sabha, in response to a specific question regarding initiatives to promote eco-tourism.
At a national level, the Ministry of Tourism revealed that a total of 76 projects, valued at Rs 5,295.24 crore, had been sanctioned under the original Swadesh Darshan scheme, which commenced in 2014-15. This scheme was conceptualized to foster tourism infrastructure development through carefully selected thematic circuits, including those focusing on the Himalayas and eco-tourism. Out of the total allocated funds, Rs 4,927.36 crore has been released or authorized to date.
The Swadesh Darshan scheme has since undergone a significant revamp and is now known as Swadesh Darshan 2.0. This updated version is geared towards cultivating sustainable and responsible tourism destinations across the country. Under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 initiative, 53 projects have been sanctioned with an estimated cost of Rs 2,207.08 crore, of which Rs 645.72 crore has been authorized thus far.
In addition to the primary scheme, the ministry has also greenlit 37 projects, collectively worth Rs 687.99 crore, under the Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) initiative. This initiative functions as a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and focuses on developing unique destinations. Eco-tourism sites and Amrit Dharohar locations are among the four distinct categories that fall under the purview of the CBDD initiative.
The Central government emphasized that the primary responsibility for the development and promotion of tourist destinations, including eco-tourism and hill stations, rests with the respective State Governments and Union Territory administrations. The provision of central financial assistance is contingent upon adherence to established scheme guidelines, the successful submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), the availability of necessary funds, and alignment with broader governmental priorities.
The ministry further stated that it has developed a comprehensive National Strategy for Eco Tourism. This strategy actively encourages states and union territories to conduct thorough carrying-capacity assessments for proposed destinations. It also stresses the importance of involving local communities and relevant stakeholders in the planning and execution phases of tourism development projects.
These measures are strategically designed to ensure the long-term environmental, social, and cultural sustainability of tourist destinations. Concurrently, they aim to foster local employment opportunities, enhance tourist footfall, and ultimately improve the overall satisfaction of visitors. The allocation for Jammu and Kashmir is particularly noteworthy, given the Union Territory’s strong reliance on its mountainous landscapes, natural beauty, and heritage sites for tourism revenue. The increasing tourist influx also highlights the critical need for robust sustainable infrastructure and effective carrying-capacity planning to manage visitor impact.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
