He Centre hasincluded Gangotri and Yamunotri in Uttrarakhand, Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh and Parasnath in Jharkhand under a central scheme to developpilgrimage and heritage destinations in the country, a tourism ministry statement said.With the new additions, the number of sites under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) launched by the ministry in 2014-15 has now become 41 in 25 states.

Prasad Scheme

It was launched in 2014-15 by Union Ministry of Tourism. It aims at integrated development of pilgrimage destinations in planned, prioritised and sustainable manner to provide complete religious tourism experience. It focuses on the development and beautification of the identified pilgrimage destinations.

Objectives

• Harness pilgrimage tourism for its direct and multiplier effect upon employment generation and economic development.
• Enhance tourist attractiveness in sustainable manner by developing world class infrastructure in the religious destinations.
• It also seeks to promote local art, culture, handicraft, cuisine, etc.