New Delhi: For years, Odisha government is touting about the Lalitgiri-Uadyagir- Ratnagiri Buddhist circuit as one of its most pride possession so far a tourism is concerned.
But, the Tourism Ministry (MoT) of government of India is not thinking so.
The Ministry has blissfully ignored the site in its tourism map.
Identifying the Buddhist Circuit as one of the fifteen thematic circuits for development under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, the MoT has sanctioned five projects for Rs. 355.26 Crore to develop the Buddist sites in the country. However, Odisha has not been given any project. The projects are being implemented in States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.
With a view to showcase and project the Buddhist Heritage in India and boost tourism to the Buddhist destinations in the country, MoT organises the International Buddhist Conclave biennially with participation of tour operators, media, opinion makers from overseas as well as Indian stakeholders.
