State govt formulating a state policy on tourism: TN Haokip

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IMPHAL, June 16: “The state government is in the process of formulating a state tourism policy after realizing the potential of tourism in the state, which could further accelerate the mobilization of the state’s own resources”.  

This was stated by the state tourism minister TN Haokip during the opening session of a one day discussion on the ‘Talk for change for making Tourism Sustainable, Equitable and Just’ organized jointly by the Impulse NGO Network and Ereima Gender Empowerment Resource Centre, media partner Imphal Free Press and Ireibak local daily supported by UNGIFT this morning at Hotel Classic.

The minister during his opening speech while appreciating the organizers for the programme, said that it is the right moment for the various NGOs and social societies to come forward and share their views and ideas on the issues of development of tourism in the state including the negative impact it will create towards the society and the environment in the state.

He further mentioned that in the past few decades, the government fearing the fragile law and order situation in the state, had been unable to develop tourism in the state, however, the present state government realizing the potential of the sector, has already decided to develop it to its full potential and is in the process of formulating a state tourism policy.

Further speaking on the issue he stated that keeping the law and order of the state in the backseat, the government has started targeting various locations in the state including Jessami, Moreh, Sipikon, Jiribam, Tamneglong Mao to be turned into tourist circuits with Imphal with financial assistance from the centre.

The state government should take into consideration the sentiments of the local populace inhabiting around the area where the state government is planning to undertake any developmental activities including that of tourism sector.

The pivotal objectives of the discussion later came with initiations by various speakers who attended the discussions as representatives of various local NGOs, community leaders and other human right activists.

The discussion was initiated by the presentation of papers on adopting Code of Conduct on safe and honourable Tourism from a Legal perspective by Sushil Huidrom, Centre for People Concern and Kristen Augustine and Amelia Carter from Impulse NGO Network, Shillong,

The discussion also included a paper on ‘NGO’s perspective on Responsible Tourism’ presented by Jubita Hajarimayum secy. Eireima Gender Empowerment Resource Centre and another on ‘media perspective on Responsible tourism’ jointly presented by a senior journalist of Manipur Mail Tiken and chief reporter Imphal Free Press Sukham Nanda during the conclusion part of the discussion today.

The discussion was concluded with taking of ten point resolution as a follow up action of the Code of Conduct on safe and hounarable tourism this evening at Hotel Classic, North AOC.

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