The government under the Swadesh Darshan scheme is developing the picturesque Northeast Circuit to boost tourism in the country in a planned and prioritized manner. 

The Ministry of Tourism has identified fifteen thematic circuits for development namely- North-East Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Heritage Circuit, Sufi Circuit, and Tirthankara Circuit.

Union Culture and Tourism Minister of State (independent charge) Prahlad Singh Patel said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on February 4th, 2020, the projects under the scheme are identified for development in consultation with the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations.

He also informed that his Ministry has identified 17 Iconic Sites in the country for development by seeking convergence with other Central Ministries/Departments/State Governments /Urban Local Bodies.

“New mountain peaks have been opened for mountaineering and trekking to give a boost to adventure tourism in the country. Initiatives, like lowering of GST on hotels rooms with tariffs of Rs 1,001 to Rs 7,500 /night to 12 per cent and for Rs 7,501 and above to 18 per cent, have also been taken to increase India’s competitiveness as a tourism destination,” Patel added.

Also, in Budget 2020 announcement, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman mentioned that five archaeological sites will be developed as iconic sites with on-site museums. The sites are in: Rakhigarhi (Haryana), Hastinapur (UP), Sivasagar (Assam), Dholavira (Gujarat) and Adishanaloor (Tamil Nadu).

Sitharaman said Rs 3,150 crore has been allocated for the Ministry of Culture and Rs 2,500 crore for the Ministry of Tourism.

Photo credit: @PemaKhanduBJP (A snapshot of Mandala, West Kameng, Arunachal Pradesh)