About Swadesh Darshan

• The Swadesh Darshan Scheme was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in 2014.
• It aims to develop theme-based tourist circuits in the country. These tourist circuits will be developed on the principles of high tourist value, competitiveness and sustainability in an integrated manner. 
• It is a Central Sector Scheme and completely funded by the central government of India. 
• Efforts are made to achieve convergence with other schemes of Central and State Governments and also to leverage the voluntary funding available for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of Central Public Sector Undertakings and Corporate Sector.

The scheme has following objectives:

• Position tourism as a major engine of economic growth and job creation;
• Develop circuits having tourist potential in a planned and prioritized manner;
• Promote cultural and heritage value of the country to generate livelihoods in the identified regions;
• Follow community based development and pro-poor tourism approach;
• Create employment through active involvement of local communities;
• Projects under the scheme shall be under the following identified themes; Eco-tourism, Wildlife, Buddhist, Desert, Spiritual, Ramayana, Krishna, Coastal, Northeast, Rural, Himalayan, Tribal and Heritage.

Swadesh Darshan 2.0 

• The Ministry of Tourism has revamped its Swadesh Darshan scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 for development of sustainable and responsible tourist destinations. 
• The Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme envisages an increase in private sector investment in tourism & hospitality. 
• It would help in increasing Public Private Partnerships (PPP) in the field of tourism and operation and maintenance of the created assets under the scheme.

Why in News?

• The Ministry of Tourism launched the Swadesh Darshan Scheme for development of theme-based tourist circuits. A total of 76 projects have been sanctioned. 
• The Ministry of Tourism has revamped the Swadesh Darshan Scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations, following a destination & tourism-centric approach. In line with the scheme guidelines, the respective State/UT prepares State Perspective Plan and the Ministry of Tourism selects destination for development accordingly. 
• The Ministry has notified 57 destinations in the country for development under SD2.0.