The Ministry of Tourism has launched the Swadesh Darshan scheme in the year 2014-15 with a vision to develop theme-based tourist circuits on the principles of high tourist value, competitiveness and sustainability in an integrated manner by synergizing efforts to focus on needs and concerns of all stakeholders to enrich tourist experience and enhance employment opportunities. The Ministry has identified Buddhist Circuit as one of the thirteen thematic circuits for development under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.

The Ministry of Tourism organizes International Buddhist Conclave every alternate year since 2010; publicity material and collaterals in English and foreign languages are produced for domestic and international markets; media campaigns in the print and electronic media are undertaken in the domestic and international markets; familiarisation tours for trade, media and opinion makers are undertaken from overseas to Buddhist Sites and Circuits in the country under the Hospitality Scheme of the Ministry.

Under Buddhist Circuit theme, Ministry has sanctioned the project “Construction of Cultural Centre at Bodhgaya, Bihar” for Rs.33.17 crore in 2014-15.

This information was given by Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Civil Aviation in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.