IMPHAL,May 8: Manipur has become one of the priority state in the tourism sector of the country. Deepa Laskar, regional director of North East, Ministry of Tourism commented this while sharing her opinion on the closing ceremony of the 10 day youth adventure tourism festival at the adventure tourism complex at Lamdan in Manipur`s Churachandpur district on Sunday. The visiting Tourism ministry official also made it clear that though she couldn`t make any promise she assured that necessary support and help will be given from her level to promote tourism industry in the state.”I`ve visited Manipur many times but this was the first time that I had ever witnessed such a wonderful and adventurous activities”, the tourism ministry official observed.Former key functionary of the Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association (MMTA) and journalist Yambem Laba while speaking on the occasion narrated how the association came forward in exploring the adventure potentials in the region besides highlighting the achievements of the association in building up the youths of the state. Special secretary (Forest and Environment) Adityakumar Joshi, president of MMTA Dr L Surjit and former MMTA president N Ibungochoubi besides other visitors and villagers attended the day`s closing function.Around 70 boys and girls including three from Nagaland took part in the youth adventure tourism festival which was started since April 30 last.”We`re happy to learn new things here even if we belong to a hill state like Nagaland”, Ayeito, a young boy from Nagaland`s Kigwema village said. Another young girl L Babycha of Wangoi who presently studies in Chennai also shared a similar sentiment on being a participant in the fest.Trekking to Laimaton hill range, exploration of Japanese war medical head quarter from adventure leadership complex to Laimaton range, rock climbing and obstacles tashi rock, cultural programmes, a series of classes on adventures were the main highlight of the festival. The festival was organised by MMTA in association with the Manipur Tourism department under the aegis of Ministry of Tourism.
