The region in throes of neglect and gripped by insurgency now looks up to a new future with a new tourism policy that could well bring it in the countryís mainstream. Subhasish Chakraborty enlists the slew of measures to bring about transformation in the militancy-infested tribal hinterland.
From high mountain passes to the exotic tribal culture, the North-East of India is stupendous in grandeur and beauty. Quite unlike the rest of India, it is a predominantly tribal habitation with numerous tribes speaking different languages and dialects.
Although neglected for too long, with improved communications, the entire region is now well connected with the rest of India. However, in terms of tourism, the region has lot to catch up with to be on par with mainland India.
Having spent more than 25 years of my life in the North-East, I have witnessed its peace-loving people taking to arms to protest against their sufferings, notably economic deprivation. For much too long, the central government gave a step-motherly treatment to this region with virtually no industrial development and wealth creation. All the pent-up anger and decades of misgovernance has now resulted into one of the biggest security concerns for the Indian Government.
However, all is not lost and good sense has ultimately prevailed. Today, there is a dedicated Ministry for the Development of the North-Eastern region and the present Narendra Modi led BJP government has inducted as many as five Cabinet Ministers from the region.
There has been a growing awareness on the part of the dispensation that combating terrorism in the North-East does not necessarily mean quelling rebellion with military might. Prime Minister Modi is aware Tourism can play a key role in eliminating terrorism. For the first time in years, there is actually a proper Tourism Policy exclusively for the North East.
Apart from the upgradation of the existing tourist facilities namely Tourist Accommodation, Wayside Amenities, Budget Accommodation, Beautification and Refurbishment of Historical Monuments/Monasteries etc., promotion of Adventure Sports and providing Adventure Tourism equipment etc, the Ministry of Tourism doing its best to promote North-East in the competitive international travel market. The fact that the North-Eastern States are given a free booth in the world’s largest Tourism Fair – International Tourism Mart, Berlin (ITB) is an indication.
A slew of measures like financial assistance for conducting fairs and festivals, priority publicity in the overseas offices of the Ministry of Tourism, planned development of Tourism circuits, interest subsidies on loans sanctioned by Tourism Finance Corporation of India and other financial institutions and waiving of expenditure tax etc. have shown encouraging results.
On the positive role that Tourism or more appropriately – “Eco-Tourism” can play in combatting terrorism, I recently had a first-hand experience of the extent to which this brand of Tourism can percolate in winning the hearts of the most hardened of militants.
I was on a visit to the Manas National Park, a UNESCO world-heritage site and on the advice of my Assamese friends I decided to check in at Manas Jungle Camp. The Camp, the first of its kind in Manas is run by a local NGO – “Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society”. We found the Camp with its eco-friendly cottages very comfortable. The food was hygienic and the staff warm and friendly. Apart from providing quality jungle accommodation, which is infinitely more superior than the state government run Tourist Lodge, the Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society has been at the forefront of the revival of the National Park and has also undertaken the initiative of patrolling inside the park premises, helping self-help groups, encouraging local handicrafts etc., all of which has impressed the UNESCO World Heritage Commission.
We were most impressed with the quality of work that the Manas Maozigendri Eco-tourism Society was undertaking. Every morning, we could see the locals, mostly Bodo tribals come to the camp and undergo training on conservation.
Presently there are around 200 volunteers registered with the Manas Maozigendri Eco-tourism Society. That’s not all. For an NGO, to build roads and bridges in one of the remotest corners of North-East is no mean feat. They also have an exclusive “Conservation Zone” wherein the volunteers play a crucial role in preserving the flora and fauna.
It is largely due to the pioneering role played by organisations like them and the cooperation of the Forest Department that revival of Manas National Park was possible. Tourism can role of a catalyse in bringing disgruntled militants under the purview of development
Now that the Tourism juggernaut in the North-East has started rolling, a few points need to be considered. First is the integration of all the State Tourism organisations under the ambit of one exclusive Tourism umbrella and the creation of a North-East tourism board. Such a board with financial backing from the central government would help in promoting the region from a single platform rather than the dissipated efforts of each state.
Second, the geographic and ethnic landscape of the North-East is unique and instead of attracting mass tourism, the effort should be to promote niche tourism products like – anthropological tourism, tribal tourism, folklore tourism, mountain tourism, handicrafts tourism, ethnic tourism and tea tourism
Third, the government should prioritise and revive the Raj-era Golf Courses nestled in the midst of tea gardens. Integrating golf courses with heritage Raj-era tea garden bungalows can attract high international tourist footfall.
Fourth, the need for a new-age PR plan aimed at creating and maintaining a positive image for a destination. Last but not the least, proper identification of tribes for intensive exposure in terms of tourism wherein their unique festivals and fairs are highlighted needs to be chalked out.
The roadmap
A region with a fabulous culture, heritage and tradition, great places of pilgrimages, rich flora and fauna, mesmerising wildlife, exotic hills and mountains, gorgeous rivers and above all, an extremely hospitable set of people, cannot be kept in hibernation for long.
But how soon this turnaround is achieved will depend upon the pace of reforms. Sooner the mandarins of North-East India’s tourism industry declare it as a “Special Interest Tourist Zone” the better it will be.
One needs to bear in mind that in case of “Special Interest Tourism” what the tourists need is not luxury, but real and immersive experiences. The demand is for clean and pleasant surroundings, usually at reasonable rates which the region does have in abundance.
Subhasish Chakraborty is a travel journalist and specialises on India’s North Eastand the Himalayas, promoting responsible travel and indigenous/ tribal tourism.