Four ecotourism sites in Odisha get facelift under Centre’s Swadesh Darshan Scheme: Minister Shekhawat

Gopalpur, Barkul, Satapada, and Tampara — four prominent ecotourism destinations in Odisha — have received a facelift under the Coastal Circuit plan, with funding support from the Centre’s Swadesh Darshan Scheme, Union Minister of Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed the Lok Sabha on Monday in a written reply.

Responding to a query by Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda, the Minister stated that the Ministry of Tourism has revamped the Swadesh Darshan Scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 with the objective of developing sustainable and responsible tourism destinations, following a destination- and tourist-centric approach.

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Debrigarh in Bargarh district and Khinda in Sambalpur district have been identified and included in the Ministry’s revamped Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) scheme for development as destination tourism hubs. However, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) from the State Government is yet to be received, the Minister informed the Upper House.

The Ministry promotes the development of tourism infrastructure in a way that supports local livelihoods and encourages community participation, including that of tribal communities. Projects sanctioned under the scheme aim to create opportunities for skill development, self-employment, and active involvement of local stakeholders, the Minister added.

Through the centrally sponsored Swadesh Darshan scheme, the Ministry of Tourism complements the efforts of state governments and Union Territory administrations — including Odisha — by providing financial assistance for the development of tourism infrastructure, Shekhawat concluded in his written reply.