Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) [India], September 27 (HBTV): Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday emphasized the need for sustainable tourism during a program organized in Itanagar on the occasion of World Tourism Day. 

"We do not want crowds. Crowds produce garbage and pollution. We want sustainable tourism while preserving our rich biodiversity. High-end tourism, in line with Bhutan, is the only way forward," he said.

Khandu urged that "Dekho Apna Desh" should be prioritized over foreign travel, highlighting that tourists come to experience the state's unique culture, hills, forests, and biodiversity, which must be preserved for future generations. 

"Dekho Apna Desh should be the first agenda on our bucket list. Visiting foreign countries should be second," he said.

While observing that tourists will not come to see how developed the state is but to see its unique culture, its hills and forests, its biodiversity, flora and fauna, Khandu insisted that all these factors should be preserved for posterity. 

To diversify the state's tourism offerings and attract a broader audience, Khandu assured the development of state-of-the-art infrastructure for adventure sports, including trekking, rafting, angling, paragliding, and rock climbing, aimed at thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts. 

He said, "We intend to build a sports tourism ecosystem in collaboration with the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), based at Dirang, to offer certificate courses for the youth." 

Khandu called on the youth to take advantage of the UNNATI scheme, launched by Prime Minister Modi during his last visit to Itanagar, which allocates a significant share for tourism in the Northeast, including INR 900 crore for Arunachal Pradesh.

"I call upon our youths to approach the department of Industries with innovative concepts to avail the scheme and propel forward our tourism industry," he said. 

Likewise, Khandu informed, the Union budget this year too has offered a 'special assistance for infrastructure development in tourism' to Arunachal Pradesh of about INR 250 crore. 

He added that tourism, with the support of all stakeholders, will become the engine of growth for Arunachal Pradesh in the coming years. 

Khandu informed that the state government, taking a cue from the national campaign, launched its own 'Dekho Apna Pradesh' campaign and has till date organized six tours taking tourism stakeholders across the state. 

"Arunachal Pradesh is so much blessed with varieties of geographical, climatic and cultural ambience that calls for its own people to visit and explore," he said. 

Khandu observed that many Arunachalees haven't visited places within Arunachal except their own areas but have visited a couple or more foreign countries. He insisted that before enriching themselves with the culture and places of other countries people should first explore their own state and country.

As Arunachal Pradesh has immense tourism potential, he revealed that in order to leverage the untapped tourism potential, the state government will soon notify a new Tourism Policy, including film, farm, wine and eco-tourism, homestay policy, to provide holistic experiences to domestic and foreign tourists, attract investments and provide employment and self-employment opportunities for the youth.

He assured that this policy will focus on preserving local culture and heritage through community involvement and showcasing local champions. 

Khandu reiterated the importance of promoting high-end, niche tourism in the state, considering the ecological carrying capacity of high-tourism potential locations. He cautioned that uncontrolled tourism and rampant tourist flow could adversely affect the state's culture, biodiversity, and environment.

Social media influencers promoting Arunachal Pradesh as a tourist destination were felicitated on the occasion.   

(ANI)