GUWAHATI: As part of the central government's Swadesh Darshan 2.0 initiative, fifteen locations in the northeastern region including Jorhat and Kokrajhar are set for comprehensive development to boost tourism, showcasing the area's abundant natural and cultural heritage.
The announcement was made by officials from the Ministry of Tourism during the 11th International Tourism Mart (ITM) held in Shillong from November 21 to 23. As part of the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 initiative, each of the seven northeastern states will see two locations undergo significant development to enhance their tourism potential.
The Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme also received attention during the event. The Ministry disclosed that it has allocated ₹29.32 crores for the development of four prominent religious tourism sites in Meghalaya. The selected sites are Nartiang Shakti Peeth, Nongsawlia Presbyterian Church, Aitnar Pool, and Charantala Kali Temple.
The chosen locations from each state are as follows: Nacho and Mechuka from Arunachal Pradesh, Shillong and Sohra from Meghalaya, Aizawl and Champhai from Mizoram, Jorhat and Kokrajhar from Assam, Moirang (Bishnupur) from Manipur, Niuland and Chumukedima from Nagaland, Gangtok and Gyalshing from Sikkim, and Agartala and Unakoti from Tripura.
The development initiatives aim to harness the rich cultural and natural heritage of these locations, making them more accessible and attractive to tourists, thus fostering economic growth in the region.
