IMPHAL, August 11: The number of foreign tourist visits to North Eastern States has increased from 66302 to 84820 in 2013 and further to 118552 in 2014, according to a PIB statement.
It said in 2014-15, Rs 144.68 crore was released for the North Eastern Region which Rs 34.68 Crore more than the actual sanctioned amount of Rs 110 crore. A total of 10% of the plan allocation of the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India is earmarked for North Eastern States, it said.
The statement continued, the Ministry of Tourism has launched two new plan schemes `SwadeshDarshan for integrated development of circuits around specific themes` and `Prasad for National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive`.
They are Coastal Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, North East India Circuit, Himalayan Circuit and Krishna Circuit identified under SwadeshDarshan Scheme initially, it said and added that seven more circuits viz. Desert Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wild Life Circuit and Rural Circuit have recently been identified under the scheme.
Under PRASAD scheme 12 cities have been identified and Kamakhaya in Assam features under PRASAD scheme, it continued.
The government is also taking up several initiatives to promote tourism in North Eastern Region including provision of complimentary space to the North Eastern States in India Pavilions set up at major International Travel Fairs and Exhibitions, 100% central financial assistance for organizing fairs & festivals is allowed to the North Eastern States, Ministry of Tourism, as part of its on-going activities, annually releases print, electronic, online and outdoor media campaigns in the international and domestic markets, under the Incredible India brand-line, to promote various tourism destinations and products of the country, including the lesser known destinations which have tourism potential. The Ministry of Tourism undertakes special campaigns on NE Region on TV channels to promote tourism in the regions.
Other initiatives of the government also include International Tourism Mart (ITM) organized annually with the objective of showcasing the largely untapped tourism potential of North East region in the domestic and international markets, it said.
The project `Integrated Cable-Car and Lakeside Tourism Development Project at Loktak Lake, Manipur` has been sanctioned during 2013-14 for the State Government of Manipur at an amount of Rs.20.35 crore under Large Revenue Generating Scheme. Under this scheme, funds are allocated under Public-Private-Partnership, it continued.
The statement concluded that the information was given by the Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Culture (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr Mahesh Sharma in reply to an unstarred question yesterday in LokSabha.