Andro wins Best Tourism Village award
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 27 2024: Andro, a small yet culturally rich settlement in Imphal East district, has been honoured with the prestigious Best Tourism Village Award in the Heritage category.

The award was part of the 2024 edition of the Best Tourism Villages Competition, organised by the Ministry of Tourism.

The ceremony took place at the Plenary Hall, Vigyan Bhawan, in New Delhi, to mark World Tourism Day 2024.Officials from Manipur Tourism along with representatives of Andro village were felicitated during the event.

According to a press release issued by tourism director Dr W Ibohal, Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankar, who attended as the chief guest, congratulated the winners and emphasised the importance of sustainable tourism in India.

The event saw the participation of key figures from Manipur, including Tourism Corporation of Manipur Limited (TCML) chairman & Andro MLA Thounaojam Shyamkumar, and tourism director Dr W Ibohal.

Andro village was selected for the award due to its rich cultural heritage and traditional practices, which have made it a prime destination for heritage tourism.

The village is home to the Panam Ningthou Temple, a significant heritage site that embodies the cultural and historical depth of the region.

The temple, dedicated to the local deity Panam Ningthou, holds deep spiritual importance for the people of Manipur.

The villagers of Andro have actively engaged the local community in preserving and promoting their heritage while embracing tourism as a means of sustainable development.

Community-based organisations and committees within the village have been working in collaboration with local authorities, historians, and other stakeholders to preserve their unique traditions and ensure that tourism benefits the entire community, the statement said.

Tourists from around the world are drawn to Andro's distinctive cultural heritage, including its centuries-old fire worship rituals and the revered Panam Ningthou Temple.

This growing tourism not only promotes cultural exchange but also contributes to the village's economic growth by creating employment opportunities, encouraging entrepreneurship, and boosting the sale of traditional crafts and products.

In line with sustainable development, the villagers have also adopted eco-friendly practices such as waste management, water conservation, and responsible use of natural resources to ensure the long-term viability of tourism in Andro.

These efforts have positioned Andro as a model on how heritage tourism can drive both economic and social development while maintaining a commitment to environmental sustainability, the statement added.

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