ITANAGAR, Mar 18: To discuss the ways and means to promote tourism in Arunachal Pradesh with Indian Army playing the role of a positive stakeholder, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 56 Infantry Division Major General Ajay Kumar Vig on Wednesday called on Chief Minister Pema Khandu here at his office.
Khandu appreciated Maj Gen Vig, the newly inducted GOC of the Likabali-based 56 Infantry Division for his keen interest in promotion of tourism in state and his offer to coordinate with the state government in this regard. Underscoring the significant role the Army with its resources can play by providing training to trainers in hospitality and adventure sports sectors, Chief Minister opined that presence of Army in almost all tourist circuits of the state offer an ample scope for it in contributing towards development of tourism. He informed the GOC that he had earlier met the GOC-in-Chief of the Army’s Eastern Command Lt Gen Anil Chauhan and discussed in detail about Army’s role in promoting Arunachal as a hot tourist destination in the country and expressed optimism that with Lt Gen Chauhan’s vision and Maj Gen Vig’s interest, a concrete plan would soon be chalked out that would take the state’s tourism industry to the next level.
While stating that Army can play a pivotal role in boosting the viable sectors such as hospitality, housekeeping, white water rafting, para-sailing etc, Khandu assured that a meeting would soon be convened in this regard with the state’s Tourism Department and Army. Responding to GOC’s suggestion that a few stretch of roads need to be taken care of, Chief Minister informed that all decks for construction of the stretch from Potin to Pangin had been cleared and further assured that arterial roads which are in poor conditions are also being taken up on top priority basis. He said state government is also constructing wayside amenities in tourist circuits and informed about the schemes like Mukhya Mantri Paryatan Vikas Yojana and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swawlamban Yojana, under which financial assistance are being provided to local entrepreneurs to set up tourism-related projects. 
Underscoring the need for ‘responsible tourism’ with respect to protection of environment while imparting training to local entrepreneurs, he observed that 56 Infantry Division can be roped in for the Subansiri and Lohit belts while 71 Infantry Division can be engaged for the Kameng belt. Acknowledging Arunachal’s huge tourism potential, Maj Gen Vig offered the Division’s all-out support and cooperation and informed that Army is already equipped with systems to provide training in sectors like homestays and adventure sports like white water rafting, kayaking, trekking, camp setting, para-sailing, mountaineering, etc.

While reiterating Army’s supportive role, GOC also suggested the state government plan a large-scale event for promotion of tourism and assured full Army cooperation in this regard. He further informed the Chief Minister that he had already done the ground work of identifying the sectors and places that can be worked upon which is ready for submission to the Tourism Department.
Thanking the Chief Minister for his positive response to the suggestions, GOC assured participation of the 56 Infantry Division in all future meetings and consultations to promote tourism in state. CMO

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
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