"The golf track has existed since the British era. It is only to be revived," Tiwari said. It is not only through golf that the state government hopes to give a major boost to tourism at Bodh Gaya.

In his meeting with tourist department officials on Friday, Nitish approved Rs 67 crore for creating a 200-metre green belt near the Mahabodhi temple, which is one of the preconditions for the temple to be declared a World Heritage site.

The government also approved the transfer of Jai Prakash Park adjoining the temple premises to the Mahabodhi temple management committee in order to give devotees more space around the temple.

The 17 acres of land on which Bodh Gaya block offices are located has been transferred to the tourism department. The department will develop a market complex and other facilities. "All the buildings will have a Mauryan design which is to be prepared by chief architect of HUDCO R K Safaya," said Tiwari.

The government has also given its approval for establishment of a "cultural village" in Nalanda near the Xuan Zang memorial hall for which the Union government has already sanctioned Rs 3.5 crore.

Tiwari said the Chinese have shown interest in building of this "cultural village" and in December over 150 Chinese delegates will attend a meeting there, where the urn of Xuan Zang, currently kept under lock and key at the Patna Museum, will be displayed.