The writer George Kangung Maram., is a Former Director of Tourism for Govt. of Pondicherry.

Why tourism needs focus in Manipur?

Let us take a hard look at our natural resources. Manipur is not endowed with natural resources like coal, iron, oil and other minerals. The state suffers from acute power shortages. Let alone dreaming for industrial power needs. It finds it difficult to meet even bare domestic power needs of the populace.

Load shedding or black outs are the order of the day. Still worse, the connectivity of the state in particular and the north eastern states in general with the rest of the country can only be described as pathetic. Even the skeletal connectivity, are subject to constant disruptions by various elements. Against this backdrop, no private entrepreneurs are motivated to invest despite tax holidays and other incentives provided by the central government.

The peculiar topography of the region and its susceptibility to turbulence deters infrastructure development. Added to this , the Government of India apart from providing the budgetary needs, has not taken interest to build infrastructures in these areas. With liberalization and globalization, the chasm of disparities will only widen. And the north eastern states will be left further behind. With it the problem of unemployment will spiral leading to further turmoil.

It can therefore be deduced from foregoing reasoning, that heavy industries are not viable propositions. Examine other options. Let us take a hard look at countries having similar geographical endowments or limitations. It was none other than Pandit Jawarharlal Nehru who described Manipur as the jewel and the switzerland of India. You may say that it is an odious comparison.

It indeed is, considering switzerland’s progress and affluence and Manipur’s stark backwardness. But wait before you scoff off this comparison. Certain striking similarities emerge. Switzerland like Manipur is a land locked country without natural resources but blessed with beauty and salubrious climate. Those snowcapped mountains of the Alps have enticingly drawn people form across the globe.

The people of Switzerland have converted this natural beauty into a money spinning machine. No wonder then why this "playground of Europe" should not be bracketed as among the richest countries in the world in terms of per capita income. It may be too simplistic and fallacious to conclude that all earnings come from tourism industry. It has alongside developed small scale industries like watch making and precision machines which does not require heavy power investments.

Manipur can have small industries based on agriculture and human resources based industries like information technologies, which do not demand excessive power. However, I would like to devote another article on that later. For now , the focus shall be on tourism which in my view has vast scope in Manipur given its natural beauty, salutary climate and multicultural society. It is all the more imperative to promote tourism considering limitations for development of heavy industries and necessity to generate employment. And more significantly, for its potential to generate income.

With as many as many as 689.8 million and more people crossing international boundaries and a turnover of $475.8 billion tourism is the leading industry, much larger than oil or arms industry. And it is still growing fuelled by business travels, adventurism, meetings and conventions and eco-tourism. Travels entails, development of infrastructure like connectivity, hotels, travel operation etc. All these generate employment and income . The moot point is why is tourism not seen in its proper perspective? Why no conscious effort is made to promote tourism and tap the income accruing from it.?