Rich natural beauty, exotic flora and fauna besides the distinctive traditions of ethnic communities of North-East India continue to spellbind foreign tourists who are flocking in droves to the region.
The data speaks for itself. As per the latest statistics available with the Union Tourism Ministry, the number of foreign visitors to the region has jumped from 66,302 in 2012 to 84,820 in 2013 and to 1,18,552 in the following year.
Percentage wise, the number of foreign tourists visiting North-Eastern States registered a growth of 39.76 per cent in 2014 over 2013, said a senior official from the Ministry.
“We are hoping that the footfall would increase further as the tourists, particularly foreigners, are getting interested in exploring the region. The fact that the terrains and hotspots are inaccessible does not bother them. In fact that is what thrills them,” he said.
North-East India comprises of seven States commonly known as the Seven Sisters. They are Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. Sikkim is also part of the region and each
State is known as a paradise for travellers, with immense tourism potential.
Challenging rivers and mountains, brightly painted Buddhist monasteries situated in a serene natural environment, indigenous sports, unique tribal culture, folk dance and music, intricately woven tribal shawls and other handicrafts, offer the visitors a rare feast for the eyes and the soul.
The region offers invaluable resources for the development of eco-tourism, religious tourism and adventure tourism. Each State in the region has its own unique culture and handicrafts, the official added.
Recognising the region’s huge employment as well as revenue generation potential, the Ministry released `144.68 crore in 2014-15 that is `34.68 crore more than the actual sanctioned amount.
The Ministry also sanctioned a `20.35-crore project, Integrated Cable-Car and lakeside Tourism Development Project at loktak lake in 2013-14 in Manipur under the large Revenue Generating Scheme. Under this scheme, funds are allocated under the
Public-Private-Partnership, the official added.
Similarly, in order to beautify and improve the amenities and infrastructure at pilgrimage centers, the destination of Kamakhya (Guwahati) has been identified under the National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) in 2014-15.
However, the region’s inherent geographical disadvantages and isolation, limited land connectivity, limited/short working season (due to long monsoon period) continue to remain the major challenges in achieving significant growth in the physical infrastructure of the region, the official noted.
The tourists visiting the region need Inner line Permit/Restricted Areas Permit/Protected Area Permit. “To boost tourism, the entire area of Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland was excluded from the Protected Area Permit Regime for foreign tourists subject to certain conditions initially for a period of
one year with effect from January 1, 2011, which has been extended periodically,” the official said.
This relaxation has been extended by the Home Ministry till December end.