Eco Circuit is going to be on the fifteen thematic circuits for development in the country, under the Swadesh Darshan scheme. The Ministry of Tourism has identified this theme in order to promote eco-tourism in the country.

 

The Tourism Ministry has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Responsible Tourism Society of India (RTSOI). The purpose of the MoU is to take measures that will help to promote and support sustainability initiatives in the tourism sector.

Ecotourism is the buzzword for travel in these times, as countries are becoming more and more eco-friendly, and are understanding the burden that weighs on the environment. India too has gone in an eco-friendly way in certain tourism aspects, a prime example of this is the state of Sikkim.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has issued guidelines for sustainable ecotourism in the country. Its guidelines talk about preparing an ecotourism plan including the carrying capacity analysis-based description of the eco-tourism site. It also talks about monitoring the various eco-tourism sites in the country.

The Government of India had launched the Swadesh Darshan Scheme in 2014-15 to develop theme-based tourist places in the country.

Aim of Swadesh Darshan Scheme

•       Promotion of tourism as a catalyst for economic growth and creation of jobs.
•       Developing India into a world-class tourist destination.
•       Developing theme-based circuits like ecotourism with ecological and cultural conservation.
•       Developing professionalism and modernism in tourism with a focus on in-depth infrastructure development.
•       Providing complete tourism by enhancing tourist-attractiveness in a sustainable manner.

The scheme aims to promote, develop and harness the potential of tourism in India.Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, the Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance – CFA to State Governments, Union Territory Administrations for the infrastructure development of circuits.

This scheme is envisioned to synergise with other schemes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Skill India, Make in India etc. with the idea of positioning the tourism sector as a major engine for job creation, the driving force for economic growth, building synergy with various sectors to enable tourism to realise its potential.

For more information log on to: https://tourism.gov.in/swadesh-darshan-scheme

 

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