Eco Tourism project Sanctioned in Arunachal Pradesh

ITANAGAR, Aug 14: The Union Tourism Ministry has assured to sanction Rs 5 crore for a heliport, which would be a pilot project for Arunachal Pradesh with ample tourism potential.

Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja assured to sanction the amount soon when Governor Gen (Retd) JJ Singh called on her at New Delhi yesterday to convince her about the State’s massive tourism potential having capacity to generate employment and income augmentation opportunities for the people, official sources said.

Gen Singh, who has been stressing for promotion of the State’s tourism potential, advocated the need to develop heliport tourist destinations along with a mini-convention centre, as a concept of soulful-eco tourism.

Ecotourism in Arunachal Pradesh

The new destination to be decided shortly will be developed keeping in mind the diverse rich flora and fauna as also by using the local material and habitat conditions as the Unique Selling Proposition (USP) for these destinations.

He said the selected destinations would have wooden huts to lodge 16-20 tourists, who can be carried by a chopper. Tourism is a viable revenue generator which would greatly benefit the locals, the governor stressed.

The Governor said that in collaboration with Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre, Guwahati, a workshop on Modern Bamboo Structures and Housing to encourage contemporary tourism complexes with low construction cost and time would be conducted at Itanagar during this month.

To put Arunachal in the national and global tourism map, the Governor advocated a de novo concept of camping sites and adventure, which could be a major attraction for nature and adventure lovers.

“The camping sites will be built on the traditional cane, bamboo and thatch concept having lodging for single or twin occupants supported by adequate infrastructure and facilities required by tourists. These sites can be scaled to accommodate more people during events by pitching tents,” he added.

He further said a rafting base camp would be developed to become a hub for training, besides providing opportunity for amateur and professional rafters to enjoy the sport. The Minister agreed to support this initiative and also the proposal to hold an international rafting championship in the State between November to February, sources informed, adding a food festival of Arunachal Pradesh, along with its cultural heritage, would also be held at Dilli Haat duly supported by the ministry. (UNI)