Impact of tourism industry in NE states discussed
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Imphal, May 15 2011: A one-day discussion was held in Imphal on Friday under the aegis of North East People's Alliance (NEPA) on the social, economic, cultural and political impact on local Northeast communities, particularly in Manipur, by the policy of government's tourism industry.

Representatives from EQUATIONS (Equitable Tourism Options) and Khonoma village of Nagaland�which has been promoted as "green village" with funds from central tourism ministry in 2004�provided an in-depth and empirical understanding on the thematic aspects of the discussion.

The crux of the issue was ensconced in the draft document of the Manipur tourism policy 2010 that sought to improve tourism governance in the wake of new global imperatives like speedy change in terms of global connectivity and human outlook, flourishing hospitality industry and painless transfer of income.

This has necessitated the urgency to redesign and upgrade cross sectoral synergies, according to the vision document.

It further maintained that the percentage of funds to push for the realization of the vision of tourism industry must be scaled up to about three percent of the GDP from the present 0.025 percent.

The policy which is yet to be passed by the Assembly seeks a relook at the tariffs and land policy by which government would permit for liberal transfer of waste and uncultivable barren lands to entrepreneurs for setting up tourism complex.

Grace Jojo, a delegate in the discussion, sounded caution that often the government gives away lands and infrastructure for the development of tourism to private entities and are seldom returned.

As long as the government does include the people in the policy framework, the local communities will continue to be victims of alienation and faulty policy.

Members of North East People's Alliance Mr Wangkheirakpam Ramananda said in similar vain that the government does not care to engage with civil societies and communities while formulating polices.

In Tamenglong district, for instance, the government had acquired lands for the construction of market shed which has now been handed over to security forces.

How can such illegal transfer be tolerated at the cost of community ownership projects?, He asked.

Imphal Free Press editor Pradip Phanjoubam advocated that we should also be part of this multi-crore rupees industry (tourism) which is rapidly growing.

Ms Swathi, members of EQUATIONS believed that tourism should be non-exploitative, equitable and sustainable.

She based her believed on her study that gauged the social, cultural, economic and environmental impact of tourism on local communities.

She particularly emphasized on the fact that an unplanned tourism policy may have a devastating impact on the youths, women, children and indigenous people who are vulnerable to being marginalized.

Predeep Phanjoubam, editor The Imphal Free Press, Rebica Vaiphei, representative of State tourism department etc., were the other resource persons of the one-day discussion.

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