SRINAGAR: The Union Government has sanctioned tourism infrastructure projects worth over Rs 564 crore for Jammu and Kashmir under the Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes, while no project from the Union Territory has been approved under Swadesh Darshan 2.0, the Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) scheme or SASCI, the Centre informed Parliament.
In a written reply in the lok Sabha, the Ministry of Tourism said Jammu and Kashmir has received central financial assistance for six tourism infrastructure projects under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, along with funding for the development of the Hazratbal Shrine under the PRASHAD scheme.
According to the ministry, the sanctioned projects under Swadesh Darshan include the Jammu-Srinagar-Pahalgam-Bhagwati Nagar-Anantnag-Salamabad Uri-Kargil-Leh circuit at Rs 77.33 crore; development of tourist facilities in Jammu-Rajouri-Shopian-Pulwama at Rs 81.60 crore; reconstruction of tourism assets damaged in the 2014 floods under the Prime Minister’s Development Package at Rs 90.43 crore; development of tourist facilities at Mantalai and Sudhmahadev at Rs 91.99 crore; tourism infrastructure in Anantnag-Pulwama-Kishtwar-Pahalgam-Zanskar Padum-Daksum-Ranjit Sagar Dam at Rs 86.39 crore; and development of tourist facilities in Gulmarg-Baramulla-Kupwara-Kargil-Leh at Rs 96.75 crore.
The ministry further informed the House that under the PRASHAD scheme, the Centre sanctioned Rs 40.46 crore for the development of the Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar, of which Rs 34.30 crore has been released and utilised.
However, the parliamentary reply stated that Jammu and Kashmir does not feature among the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0, CBDD or SASCI in the latest list placed before Parliament.
The Ministry of Tourism said the primary responsibility for developing tourism destinations rests with state governments and Union Territory administrations, while the Centre supplements their efforts through schemes including Swadesh Darshan, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, PRASHAD, CBDD and SASCI.
The ministry said these schemes are intended to improve tourism infrastructure, connectivity, sanitation, safety and visitor amenities while promoting sustainable and responsible tourism.
It also informed Parliament that the National Board for Sustainable Tourism has been constituted to coordinate sustainable tourism initiatives across the country, while the Travel for LiFE programme has been launched to encourage environmentally responsible tourism practices.
