Forest Dept pushes eco-tourism, empowers youth under RAMP Scheme
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 28 2026: The Central Forest Division, Forest Department Manipur, capped a productive week with two key events under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Scheme, boosting skills in eco-tourism, hospitality, and sustainable nature-based enterprises.

The highlight was a successful 3-day Capacity Building Workshop on "Hospitality, Wildlife Tourism, and Nature Camp Management", held from March 26-28 at Shilheipung Garden.

Attended by Divisional Forest Officer Vikram Nadhe, Assistant Conservator of Forests Aquib Jamal, and Range Forest Officer David Singh of Sawombung Range, the event drew expertise from Wildlife Explorers' Brajesh Khoyumthem, Premjith, and others.

Vikram Nadhe addressed participants, stressing that forests serve as vital ecological assets and job creators.

"Eco and nature-based tourism hold immense potential to foster sustainable livelihoods, especially for local youth", he said, urging exploration of conservation-aligned enterprises.

Hands-on sessions covered eco-tourism, wildlife tourism, adventure tourism, nature camp management, visitor handling, and enterprise development, fostering knowledge exchange for eco-friendly opportunities.

On the same day, March 28, the division organised a one-day Awareness Programme on "Eco-Tourism and its Economic Linkages" at Lamdeng Mayai Leikai.

Drawing 60 participants from Lamdeng, Kameng, Iroishemba, and surrounding areas- including community members and youth entrepreneurs- the session highlighted eco-tourism's role in sustainable development and income generation through community-led conservation.

Range Forest Officer Kiranjit Yumnam of Sadar West and other experts outlined Manipur's eco-tourism scope, encouraging youth to leverage RAMP Scheme benefits.

These initiatives underscored the Central Forest Division's commitment to conservation-linked livelihoods and community capacity building.

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