“Tourism for sustainable development in Eastern Arunachal Pradesh” Miao Declaration
The meeting further emphasized that promotion of tourism through “Friends of Arunachal” should be enhanced.
Miao
Two days Eastern Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Convergence Meet 2019 was organized by State Tourism Department, HRD branch. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) also joined in the programme at Miao Circuit House from June 23rd to June 24th2019.
This event was a follow up of last six years of training programmes especially on rural tourism and home-stays which covered more then 65 villages across the state motivating and training local state holders in tourism. These programmes put special emphasis on training women in heritage conservation, self pride and economic up-liftmen.
Recently, this was followed up by three review meetings of home-stay owners and eco adventure guides. The present programme on eastern Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Convergence Meet includes in setting up of a common agenda through meetings and meaningful exchange between local stake holders, Department of Tourism, Department of Forest, local government, local tour operators and NGOs involved in conservation tourism and rural development.
There were 63 stake holders from districts of Lower Dibang Valley, Upper Dibang Valley, Anjaw, Lohit, Namsai and Changlang.
Common agenda for the Miao Declaration was Tourism for sustainable development in Eastern Arunachal Pradesh.
The introductory presentation and concept note was made by Raj Basu, Advisor Rural Tourisn & Home Stay, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh.
The inaugural programme had presentations from Namdapha Tiger Reserve Assistant Field Director P Tangha, NavRaj Pradhan of ICI MOD, DTO Roing with Neharika Sahgel Umbrey of A1 Travel, DTO Tezu, DTO Namsai with tour operator Engseng Mantow and Pamela Chowlu, owner of The Woodpacker’s Nest Namsai, DTO Changlang with Bela Tikhak Namchoom CMD Miao Pum Tours and Travels and Phupla Singpho of Namdapha Tours and Tracks.
There were several inputs from the guides, home stay owners, forest and tourism officials and NGOs based on which the Miao Declaration was announced.
To make tourism accessible and sustainable for the development of all stake holders in the truest sense of the word few recommendations were put forward for the state government such as PAP office to be extended to Namsai for Eastern Region Tourism Circuit.
The tour operators urged that Changlang DTO office is being proposed at Miao or Jairampur. Pangsau Pass being a part of the circuit, tourists with mentioned circuit should be allowed till the Pass without any further permit, however permit may be issued to domestic tourists on monthly market days along with local traders to visit Pangsaung Village and Lake of No Return. Pangsau Pass Winter/International Festival to continue as a state event.
Namchik and Jairampur “permit at gate” and friendly reception needs to be activated, with gates informing arrival of foreign tourists to concerned Police Station. Namdapha National Park to organize regular Elephant & Jeep safaris like that of Kaziranga.
Orange Festival at Dambuk to be redesigned to include local stakeholders. All Tezu-Hayuliang tourist permit holders should be allowed to stay in Homestays till Kaho. An immediate Workshop & Sensitization program for Anini be organised.
Homestays and Activities needs to developed parallel to each other. Every destination needs to highlighted accordingly. Local Volunteers with DTOs for every circuit. Exposure Trips for all tourism stakeholders at the earliest. The local tourism stakeholders must be included by Government & they in return should volunteer for any tourism activity. Plantations and Cleanliness drives along tourists approach roads by volunteer organizations to be patronized and encouraged. Riverside picnicking should be banned and follow Roing model.
Forest and Tourism in every place needs to work hand in hand with proper coordination. DTOs & TIOs to follow-up about Tourist Police & organize training.
The meeting further emphasized that promotion of tourism through “Friends of Arunachal” should be enhanced.
The valedictory session with certificates distribution in the presence of Miao ADC T Rumi and presided by Tourism Assistant Director Bengia Manna Sonam.
