Mizoram drafts eco-tourism policy

AIZAWL: Mizoram Eco-tourism Policy has been drafted by the government to promote eco-tourism in the state, State Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister,  Lalrinmawia Ralte said on Friday.
Addressing ruling Congress party workers at the Congress Bhavan here, Ralte said that the state being a hot spot of biodiversity, eco-tourism policy would seek to turn it into a tourist destination for flora and fauna.
Ralte said that a committee to review the Mizoram Banboo Policy of 2002 was constituted as the policy was thought to be completely obsolete.
A Detailed Project Report (DPR) amounting to Rs 360 crore as a first phase project for promotion of bamboo resources in the state would soon be submitted after detailed discussion with the NITI Aayog.
The Wood-based Industries (Establishment and Regulation) Guidelines, 2016 was recently published handing over the authority and responsibility of the  felling of trees to the state government.
The State Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister further added that the new guidelines under the eco-tourism policy would not only greatly benefit all the people engaging in timber trade but it will also serve as a boost to the department of tourism of the state. (PTI)