The Government of India has sanctioned projects worth approximately Rs 225 crore for Nagaland under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, aimed at promoting tribal tourism and sustainable travel experiences. This was revealed in a written reply by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in the Rajya Sabha.

Under the Tribal Circuit Theme of Swadesh Darshan, two major projects were sanctioned:

· Peren-Kohima-Wokha Tribal Circuit (Sanctioned in 2015-16) – Rs 97.36 crore

· Mokokchung-Tuensang-Mon Tribal Circuit (Sanctioned in 2016-17) – Rs 98.14 crore

Additionally, under the revamped Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), which focuses on sustainable and responsible tourism, the following projects were approved:

· Eco-Tourism Experience at Chumoukedima Viewpoint (Sanctioned for 2024-25) – Rs 7.87 crore

· Tribal Cultural Experience at Midway Retreat, Chumoukedima (Sanctioned for 2023-24) – Rs 21.56 crore

The Union Minister further stated that the Government of India has approved an initiative to develop tribal homestays under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme as part of the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan. This intervention includes the development of 1,000 homestays, with financial assistance of up to Rs 5 lakh per unit for new construction, Rs 3 lakh for renovation, and Rs 5 lakh for village community requirements.

Shekhawat clarified that the Ministry of Tourism does not have a specific scheme for tribal entrepreneurs but extends financial support to State Governments and Union Territories for tourism development under the Swadesh Darshan and the National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) schemes. The tribal circuit was identified as one of the themes under Swadesh Darshan.

The Swadesh Darshan Scheme has been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with a focus on developing sustainable and responsible destinations. Under SD2.0, the Ministry has sanctioned 34 projects worth Rs 791.25 crore, including projects promoting tribal experiences.

The Union Minister emphasized that the responsibility of obtaining land for projects under Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes lies with the concerned State Governments and UT Administrations.

MT

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