The ministry of tourism, Government of India plans to develop islands for tourism across the nation. Under the recently launched Scheme of Swadesh Darshan, a circuit for development of Coastal Tourism has been identified for development of backwaters, mangrove and cruise tourism. Promotion and development of tourism including tourism related infrastructure in their respective States/UTs including island is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/UT Administrations. Ministry of Tourism under its various existing schemes is ready to extend Central Financial Assistance for development of tourism infrastructure to the State Governments/UT Administrations, subject to adherence to the scheme guidelines.
Under the directions of ministry of home affairs, a sub-group of Task Force headed by the ministry of tourism comprising representatives from ministry of information & broadcasting; ministry of environment, forest and climate change; ministry of shipping; Archaeological Survey of India; Coastal India Development Council; Indian Coast Guard and Maritime Board of Government of Gujarat has been constituted to provide inputs for identifying islands for holistic development. The sub group of Task Force will indicate islands with historic places and with tourism potential for holistic development.