State to promote community tourism ‘in a big way’

TURA: The Government would go all out to encourage ‘community tourism’, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has said.
Speaking at a public event in Songsak on Tuesday, the chief minister said as many as 12 tourist sites have already been identified for community tourism.
Blessed with a rich biodiversity, undulating hills and pristine waterfalls dotting the landscape, the rural areas of Meghalaya could soon become a major tourist destination if its potential is well-harnessed, he observed.
“Out of these 12 sites, nine are in East Garo Hills,” said Sangma.
The Government has earmarked Rs 14 crore for the promotion of community tourism.
Exuding confidence about the improved law and order situation in the State, the chief minister said more police stations and outposts would continue to be set up to provide security to the people of the State.
The chief minister said as many as 2,751 posts in the state police force are soon going to be filled up by those candidates who have cleared the necessary tests and completed the required training.
Meanwhile, the natural abundance and serene beauty of the North East, particularly Meghalaya that has not ceased to be the ‘Scotland of East’, is still unexplored, said Dr. Sunildro LS Akoijam of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) on Wednesday.
Addressing a gathering at the 13th International Conference on Business Management and Legal Studies in Bali, Indonesia, the assistant professor in the Department of Management said there are many on lesser known places of in the North East, like Manipur, besides Meghalaya.
He also termed Manipur as the ‘Switzerland of India’.
He said tourism has been the fastest growing industry in India and has been able to provide sustainable income to lakhs of people, particularly in rural areas where people have been empowered and educated to promote conservation of natural resources and its rich heritage.
Elaborating on the success of the national campaign, ‘Incredible India’, which started in 2002, Akoijam said, “Every country has its own unique selling proposition and an attempt should be made by tourism policy makers and other stakeholders to tap the opportunities and market their countries in different parts of the world to attract global tourist.”
He pitched for cross promotion of tourism destination, cultural exchange and awareness on historic destinations.
There were delegates from 26 countries, including Canada, Australia, the US, Finland, Poland, Singapore, China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Japan and Korea.