Shyam seeks Centre's support to develop tourism sector
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 20 2022: The three-day nation al conference of state tourism ministers concluded on Tuesday at Hotel D'Polo Club & Spa Resort, Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, during which Tourism Corporation of Manipur Limited chairman MLA Karam Shyam appealed for constant support from the Centre to develop tourism sector in the state.

Sharing his observation on the last day of the conference, Karam Shyam said that tourism sector across the globe faced a major setback in the past two years due to Covid-19 pandemic and expressed satisfaction that the conference has been organised so as to facilitate discussion on issues faced by the sector and explore solutions to rebound the sector towards an even better situation.

Manipur, being a small state with different topographical conditions and logistical issues, lacks the resources in setting up major industries.

As such, tourism is an important sector for the state in order to provide income generating opportunities to its people and boost their living standard by enhancing their socio-economic condition, he said.

Shyam also highlighted the tourism potentials of the state like scenic and adventurous natural landscape, unique cultural heritage, rich biodiversity, arts and tradition among others.

He informed the gathering that Manipur gave the world the game of modern polo as well as the world famous Raas Leela.

The state has the largest freshwater lake in the northeast in the form of Loktak Lake, where the world's only floating national park is located as a natural and only habitat of Sangai.

Both Sangai and Shirui Lily are found nowhere else except in Manipur.

Moirang, a small town at the bank of Loktak Lake, is also the first place where Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his Indian National Army hoisted the tricolour on the Indian soil.

Moreover, the state is a gateway of the country to the ASEAN countries, which enhance the tourism potential of the state, he elaborated while expressing concern that all these potentials will go in vain in the absence of good connectivity and modern infrastructure.

The former minister also pointed out border town Moreh has an integrated check post with facilities like custom clearance and immigration clearance while construction of Asian High way 1 and 2 is progressing satisfactorily and air service has improved with more flights connecting Imphal International Airport with different cities.

Moreover, introduction of regular flight service between Imphal and Bangkok is also on the pipeline.

There are also helicopter services between Imphal and other outlying towns like Moreh, Tamenglong and Jiribam, he said.

While highlighting the possibilities of hosting tours of spiritual circuits and historical sites with the state having a number of cultural and historical heritage sites, he said the government has re-developed the INA Headquarters at Moirang in order to preserve its values and promote it.

There are also several historic World War II sites where battles were fought as well as war cemeteries.

The state also has several sites for trekking, camping, biking and other outdoor adventure activities.

These potential tourist sites need development of tourism infrastructure and services including good connectivity and the state government is also giving priority in improving the sector.

The state is thankful for the support provided by the ministry of tourism in this regard, he said and added that the state is expecting constant support for further improvement of tourism infrastructure in order to boost the sector.

Karam Shyam also informed the gathering that the state would be organising its annual tourism event Sangai Festival from November 21 to 30 after a gap of two years due to Covid-19 pandemic.

The rich heritage and culture of the state will be showcased to the global audience during the 10-day event, he said, while inviting the ministers and officials present there to visit the festival.

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