New Delhi, May 19: Union Ministry of Tourism sanctioned 86 tourism projects costing Rs 17468.72 lakh for North East States during the year 2007-08.Out of the amount, a sum of Rs 13970.58 lakh was released to the States.

Sources from the Ministry said that five projects costing Rs 1110.77 lakh were sanctioned for Manipur during the year and out of it, a sum of Rs 888.62 lakh was released.

The five projects of Manipur were Integrated Development of Tourist Destination in Bishnupur (Rs 357.42 lakh), Celebration of Manipur Tourism Festival 2007-08 (Rs 10.00 lakh), Construction of Art and Craft Centre at Maibam Lokpa Ching in Bishnupur (Rs 218.38 lakh), Development of Tourist Circuit for Imphal-Thoubal-Pallel-Tengnoupal-Moreh in Manipur (Rs 509.97 lakh) and Hosting of Equestrian Championships at Imphal (Rs 15.00 lakh).

Assam got five tourism projects amounting to Rs 1271.90 lakh during the year, of which a sum of Rs 1017.52 lakh was released to the State.

Ten projects (Rs 3330.12 lakh) for Arunachal Pradesh, two projects (Rs 674.40 lakh) for Meghalaya, five projects (Rs 1692.94 lakh) for Mizoram, 21 projects (Rs 2241.35 lakh) for Nagaland, 27 projects (Rs 6036.48 lakh) for Sikkim and 11 projects (Rs 110.76 lakh) for Tripura were sanctioned.

Out of it, Rs.2664.08 lakh for Arunachal Pradesh, Rs 539.52 lakh for Meghalaya, Rs 1354.35 lakh for Meghalaya, Rs 1793.07 for Nagaland, Rs 4824.82 lakh for Sikkim and Rs 888.60 lakh for Tripura were released.

In the review meeting on the progress of projects sanctioned to the State Governments for development and promotion of tourism in the North-Eastern Region recently held at Guwahati, Union Tourism Secretary S Banerjee said that the Ministry of tourism had been according top priority to development of tourism in the area, since tourism had great potential for employment generation and economic growth.

He said, the Ministry had continuously been promoting the North Eastern Region through its publicity campaigns in the print, online and electronic media.

In 2006, 4.45 million foreign tourists arrived in the country, 0.038 million foreign tourists visited the North East region and the number of domestic tourists who visited the North East was 3.9 million.

The Union Tourism Secretary said however in order to tap the immense tourism potential of the region it is required that a concerted effort be made for upgrading infrastructure and ensuring better connectivity of important tourist destinations and circuits.

Highlighting the status of implementation of projects sanctioned in the first three years of the 10th Plan during the meeting the Union Secretary emphasized that all projects must be completed and commissioned by December this year.

It was also impressed upon the states that actual implementation of the sanctioned projects would be closely monitored by the Union Government S Banerjee stated that as sustainable tourism was the way forward, due emphasis to eco-tourism and rural tourism must be given.

In particular, rural tourism had the potential of showcasing the craft, cuisine and culture of a village in a very attractive manner, so while the Central Govt with the cooperation of the State and District authorities was developing rural tourism sites, it was upto the travel trade to effectively market them and bring tourists to these villages, for truly enjoying their authentic flavour and ambience.

The representatives of State Governments from the North East briefed the meeting about their tourism strategy and the status of implementation of projects.

They welcomed the recent decision regarding LTC for Govt.officials, which would boost tourism to the region.

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