NAMSAI, Feb 6: Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein has contended that tourism sector will be a major determinant of the economic future of Arunachal Pradesh and it’s high time to develop it in a sustainable way.
Mein said this while attending a workshop on 'Responsible Tourism - Future Forum' organized here by the State’s Department of Tourism in collaboration with the Outlook Group today. While asking the Tourism Department to simplify the process of obtaining Inner Line Permits (ILPs) and Protected Area Permits (PAPs) for travellers and foreign tourists, he stressed on evolving clean and high-end tourism and creation of tourism infrastructure in the state. Thanking the Union Tourism Ministry for sanctioning funds for infrastructure development of Parsuram Kund, the DCM assured there will be no shortage of power supply for those who want to establish industries in the region as drawing of 132 KV line from Chapakhowa to Roing through power grid has been completed and another 220 KV line from Kothalguri to Namsai will begin soon. A hydro-power project of 1750 MW is also coming up in the state, he informed.
Minister of Tourism Nakap Nalo said the state government is striving to be a facilitator in the sector’s growth and working closely with all stakeholders to transform Arunachal Pradesh into one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the world. Efforts are on for encouraging activities like homestays, rural adventure tourism, community based tourism, eco-tourism, developing tourist circuits and human resources, he stated, adding that the arc is on sustainable tourism through proper waste management practices.
Attending the workshop, Director General, Union Tourism Ministry Meenakshi Sharma said there is an immense potential for tourism in Arunachal Pradesh owing to its natural beauty, culture and hospitality of the state’s people. Suggesting to develop the new tourist destinations in traditional ways, she underscored the importance of involving local communities in the process. “A Buddhist Circuit is coming up soon in the country which would also include Arunachal Pradesh,” she informed, elaborating on the Central tourism schemes such as Swadesh Darshan and PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) that focuses on identifying and developing pilgrimage sites to promote religious tourism. Secretary, Tourism, GoAP Sadhana Deori informed that the Tourism Department is carrying out a series of workshops with the Outlook Group with a vision to develop responsible and sustainable tourism in the state. A similar workshop was conducted in Dirang and two more will be conducted in Subansiri and Pasighat, Deori added. 
Advisers Laisam Simai, Kaling Moyong, Gum Tayeng, Jummum Ete Deori, MLA Namsai Chau Zingnu Namchoom, Deputy Commissioners of Dibang Valley, Lower Dibang Valley, Lohit, Anjaw, Namsai and Director, Tourism Abu Tayeng were present on the occasion. 
CEO, Outlook Group Indranil Roy and others from the organisation, Co-founder and Managing Director, Grassroutes Inir Pinheiro, Managing Director, CGH Earth Hotels Michael Dominic, Vice President, Invest India Varun Sood, Director, Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust Tsewang Namgail and Owner, Sangaru Design Studio Sandeep Sangaru as Resource Persons spoke on the various facets of responsible tourism.  

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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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