New Delhi, April 11: Manipur Governor Dr SS Sidhu described the North East Region as one of the finest ethno-cultural mosaic in the world.

The Region has tropical vegetation, exquisite scenic beauty, unexploited resources, rich bio-diversity, rare varieties of flora and fauna, and distinctive cultural identity and rich heritage.

He was speaking on the topic �'Investing in the North East: The Crucial Question of Air Connectivity' in the Plenary Session 2 of the 3rd North-East Business Summit here last evening with the Union Minister of DoNER Mani Shankar Aiyar in the chair.

The Governor further described the region as 'Power House' of Indian sports, led by Manipur, which brought the laurels of the States, region and country.

Referring to the ecological asset of the region, he said the region has 64 per cent area under forest against 19 per cent area of the country.

The region has tremendous potential for horti-afforestry industry, he added.

He also mentioned that reasonably high standards of healthsalubrious climate, strong tradition of self-governance at village level particularly among hill people, and huge potential for trade and related services with 'Look East Policy' are among the assets and strengths on the region.

Describing problems and drawbacks of the region, Dr Sidhu stated that insurgency in varying degree prevails in four states of the region excluding Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya.

There happens ethnic tensions, senseless killing in inter-group clashes, frequent bandhs or blockades, violent protests, extortion: heavy and widespread, and abduction for ransom, he added.

He expressed that others critical aspects are acute unemployment of youth of which about 60 per cent of the youth are educated.

Twenty five lakh youths in the North East are unemployed, he added.

He said the region has poor infrastructure in terms of communication, road, transport and power.

Stating that no worthwhile inland waterways except limited navigation in Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, no railway network except in Assam, and road transportation also involves heavy capital outlay and long gestation; the Manipur Governor highlighted the air connectivity which plays a crucial role.

Dr Sidhu said, the region, at present, has 12 operational airports at Agartala, Aizwal, Baghdogra, Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Guwahati, Imphal, Jorhat, Lilabari, Shillong, Silchar and Tezpur.

Airports that can quickly become operational with limited repairs are at Kamalpur, Along, Daporizo, Ziro and Tura.

Six airports at Rupsi, Shella, Kailashahar, Khowai, Passighat and Tezu can become operational with Dornier type aircraft after strengthening of runway and extensive repair.

Green field airports are to be developed on priority to serve the capitals of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Sikkim.

He also mentioned that the Committee appointed by Ministry of DoNER posed two models for development of air connectivity in the region.

They are Public Private Partnership modela joint venture airline allowing the private operator majority share holding of 74 per cent and North Eastern Council to hold 26 per cent stake, and Reverse Bidding Agreement (minimum subsidy route).

In both cases, the NEC will identify route, frequencies, type of aircraft, fare level and liquidated damages for non-performances and mechanism for dispute resolution.

The Governor also emphasized on the need to determine an entity to focus dedicated airline located and operated in North East by expanding intra region connectivity, inter linkage of State capitals on daily or alternate day, pathfinder for future locations, suitable type of aircraft and affordable fares.

In the opening of his address, Dr.Sidhu gave a historical preface of the North East Region.

He said, for understanding of the States of North East Region, it is necessary to know the historical background and the stages of development of the region.

He narrated that from the third millennium B.C.SinoTibetan speaking people migrated into the NE, mainly along western course of Brahmaputra river.

The region was then ruled by a number of indigenous entities in separate independent territories.

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