The Union Ministry of Tourism has approved five new projects under the Buddhist Circuit in a concerted effort to boost tourism. These developments are set to take place in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. The Buddhist Circuit is part of the fifteen thematic circuits that are being developed under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
Buddhist Tourism Circuit
Belonging to one of the fifteen thematic circuits identified for growth under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, the Buddhist Circuit plays a vital role in promoting religious tourism. With the recent sanction of five new projects by the Union Ministry of Tourism, these projects are expected to be instrumental in reviving and showcasing the rich Buddhist heritage across the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme
Launched in 2014-15, the Swadesh Darshan Scheme is aimed at the integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in India. The programme offers Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations, empowering them to develop their respective tourist circuits. Essentially, the scheme intends to work in harmony with initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Skill India, Make in India etc., positioning the tourism sector as a significant contributor towards job creation, economic growth and overall national development.
| Scheme | Launch Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Swadesh Darshan Scheme | 2014-15 | For integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in India |
| Swachh Bharat Abhiyan | 2014 | To clean up the streets, roads and infrastructure of cities, towns, and rural areas |
| Skill India | 2015 | Upskilling and reskilling of Indians for better job opportunities |
| Make In India | 2014 | To encourage companies to manufacture their products in India and incentivise dedicated investments into manufacturing |
World Sustainable Development Summit 2019
The capital city, New Delhi, played host to the three-day World Sustainable Development Summit 2019. The event, themed ‘Attaining the 2030 Agenda: Delivering on our Promise’, was the annual flagship event of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). This platform serves as a catalyst in driving sustainable development and addressing climate change issues by congregating global leaders and thinkers from various fields. Formerly known as the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit, this gala event is a significant step towards fostering a sustainable future.
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
A non-profit research organization, TERI, conducts various studies in the fields of energy, environment, and sustainable development for India and the Global South. Incepted in 1974 as Tata Energy Research Institute, it was renamed as The Energy Resources Institute in 2003.
Light House Projects Challenge
The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has launched a competative initiative wherein six sites across the country are selected for constructing Lighthouse projects under the Global Housing Technology Challenge (GHTC)-India. Recognition and central assistance will be provided to the top six states or Union Territories that meet the high benchmark and criteria set out for the challenge. The winning projects will not only serve as an ‘open laboratory’ for live demonstrations but also garner attention from academia, practitioners, policy makers and media, adding further momentum to the initiative.
Global Housing Technology Challenge
Initiated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Global Housing Technology Challenge – India is on a mission to identify, evaluate, and mainstream a range of proven and potential innovative technologies from across the globe. It aims to introduce sustainable, green, and disaster-resilient solutions into the Indian construction sector. Apart from organizing an Expo-Cum-Conference, the GHTC-India also inducts globally established technologies into the Indian market through lighthouse projects and establishes Affordable Sustainable Housing Accelerators India (ASHA-India) for Indian technologies that have potential but are not yet market-ready.
