Tourism Ministry draws up Buddhism circuit strategy

New Delhi: The Centre launched a strategy on Thursday for the integrated development of the Buddhist tourism circuit in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Minister of State for Tourism and Culture Shripad Naik released the strategy document ‘Investing in Buddhist circuit’.

Joint initiative

It is a combined initiative of the Union Ministry of Tourism, the State Governments of Bihar and UP, the private sector, Buddhist monasteries and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). IFC is an arm of the World Bank.

Naik said, “Buddha circuit is a priority. Our efforts are to attract PPP investments in this. The strategy being launched today will help mobilise additional resources from the private sector for development of the Buddhist Circuit in a sustainable manner. Work will start in a month or so. Work will be started soon for the other four circuits also.”

Funding arrangement

Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Anand Kumar said, “The total cost of the project so far is around Rs. 4.5 crore, out of which IFC will contribute Rs. 1.8 crore (40 per cent). The Ministry of Tourism will offer Rs. 225 lakh (50 per cent), and Rs. 22.5 lakh (5 per cent) each will be spent by the State Governments of UP and Bihar.”

The contribution of the partners for subsequent projects will be decided later. “As far as the investment is concerned, it will come from domestic investors but we will also try to attract investments from abroad,” Kumar added.

Buddhist Conclave

The Ministry of Tourism will organise the 4th International Buddhist Conclave in Bodh Gaya and Sarnath from September 26 to 28, in association with UP and Bihar, Naik said.

The government will try to devise new business strategies for marketing Buddhist heritage, the Minister added.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.