GK Reddy: 68 destinations identified for development under PRASHAD scheme

New Delhi, April 1: Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy on Friday said 68 destination/sites have been identified in 30 States/Union Territories under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme. The Minister said this in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. The PRASHAD scheme under the Ministry of Tourism focuses on developing and identifying pilgrimage sites across India for enriching the religious tourism experience. It aims to integrate pilgrimage destinations in a prioritized, planned and sustainable manner to provide a complete religious tourism experience. “Mapping/identification of the tourist places/sites for the purpose of development and promotion is an ongoing process and is primarily the responsibility of the concerned State Government/UT administration,” the Ministry said in response to another question. However, the Ministry of Tourism has identified 15 theme-based circuits for development, spanning the entire country, which include the Buddhist Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Desert Circuit, Eco Circuit, Heritage Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Krishna Circuit, North-East Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Sufi Circuit, Tirthankar Circuit, Tribal Circuit and Wildlife Circuit., he added. (UNI)