Kahini Chakraborty- Manipur
Manipur Tourism is developing tourist destinations and tourist circuits with financial assistance from the ministry of tourism, Government of India. The state tourism department is implementing two mega projects centering on the tourist destinations Sendra, Loktak lake, Takmu and Khongjom-Kaina-Marjing. Apart from building tourist resorts, cafeteria at these places, these mega projects will cater to the development of surrounding areas.
Speaking at the Manipur EcoTourism Conclave organised by EcoTourism Society of India and Manipur Tourism in Imphal, VK Duggal, governor of Manipur said, “The state tourism department is working in a systematic and sustained way for harnessing tourism potential in Manipur. The foundation stone for the integrated cable car ropeway and lakeside development at Loktak lake was also laid recently, which will give a boost to the tourism industry.” A comprehensive Tourism Policy is also being finalised by the state government.
The state tourism department is also looking at rural tourism projects. Development of rural tourism will be taken up in Ukhrul district in a planned manner. With this the department is hoping to achieve a good base for homestays and community tourism. The department has also got another mega project prioritised to develop major tourist attractions in and around Imphal such as Ima market, Govindaji Temple, the Assembly, the War Cemetry for upliftment and restoration of these places.
The state tourism department is also working on developing a 18 hole golf course at Nongmaiching, Imphal East District under large revenue generating scheme of MoT wherein MoT will finance 25 per cent of the project cost.
Besides this, the state is also moving towards capacity building and human resource development. It recently laid the foundation stone for the State Institute of Hotel Management, Catering and Applied Nutrition at Nongmaiching. The institute is scheduled to start by 2015.
The state government is looking at upgrading ‘Hotel Imphal’ into a five star hotel.” To utilise the already developed tourism infrastructure, the government is considering leasing out these facilities under public private partnership,” he added. It is also in talks with the ministry of civil aviation to increase flight connectivity to the state.
