New Delhi, February 5, 2026 – The Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned 53 projects worth ₹2,208.31 crore under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, aimed at developing sustainable and responsible tourism destinations across India. The announcement was made today by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
Swadesh Darshan 2.0, revamped in 2022, focuses on sustainable tourism development, prioritizing environmental sustainability, socio-cultural integrity, economic benefits, and local community participation. Projects under the scheme emphasize safety, sanitation, accessibility, and eco-friendly infrastructure, along with sensitizing tourists towards responsible behavior.
Key Highlights
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Total Projects Sanctioned: 53 projects
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Total Investment: ₹2,208.31 crore
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Objective: Develop sustainable, responsible, and inclusive tourism destinations
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Focus Areas: Environmental sustainability, socio-cultural preservation, economic sustainability, community participation, renewable energy use, and eco-friendly materials
Challenge-Based Destination Development
Under Swadesh Darshan 2.0, the Ministry also launched the ‘Challenge Based Destination Development’ initiative, aimed at holistic development of tourism destinations to enhance the tourist experience across the entire value chain.
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Projects Sanctioned: 38
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Total Investment: ₹698 crore
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Purpose: Transform destinations into sustainable and responsible tourism hubs with a focus on infrastructure, services, and local engagement
Sustainability and Community-Centric Initiatives
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The Ministry has released a National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism, aiming to make tourism carbon-neutral, resource-efficient, and resilient while safeguarding cultural and natural resources.
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Non-government organizations and local communities are key stakeholders in all sustainable tourism initiatives.
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The Travel for LiFE (TFL) programme under Mission LiFE encourages tourists and tourism businesses to adopt eco-friendly practices, mainstreaming sustainability across the tourism sector.
Monitoring and Implementation
The Ministry periodically reviews the progress of sanctioned projects and urges State Governments and Union Territories to ensure robust operation and management so that the benefits of tourism reach local communities and stakeholders effectively.