Ajanta & Ellora now part of Swadesh Darshan scheme

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The Ministry of Tourism has included the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora caves in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in its Swadesh Darshan Scheme II.Launched in 2015, the scheme aims at developing sustainable and responsible tourism destinations in the country.Architect Ajay Kulkarni, a member of non-profit group Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), said that the Ajanta and Ellora caves should have become a part of Swadesh Darshan Scheme long ago.“Despite getting the tag of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Ajanta and Ellora caves still lack the desired infrastructure facilities. As these two tourist hotspots have been included in the central scheme, authorities must ensure that world-class facilities become available at both the caves,” he said.The Swadesh Darshan Scheme II, which is a 100% centrally funded initiative, aims at enhancing the contribution of tourism to the local economies, create jobs, including self-employment for local communities, and increase private sector investment in tourism and hospitality. Preserving and enhancing the local cultural and natural resources is one of the major objectives of the scheme.A senior official from the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) said that the state government is expected to designate a project implementing agency for implementation of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme II. “The inclusion of the Ajanta and Ellora caves into the central scheme is definitely a shot in the arm for local tourism and hospitality sectors,” he said.With the inclusion of Ajanta and Ellora caves, the number of destinations under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme II has increased to 57 across 32 states and Union Territories.The Centre recently included the Ghrishneshwar Temple in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district in the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive scheme.