Workshop, awareness on eco-tourism held
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 11 2025: Office of the Divisional Forest Officer of Tamenglong Forest Division conducted a consultative workshop cum awareness on ecotourism at Keikao (Namkaolong) village on Thursday with Keikao chairman Kadirei Kami as functional president, and Tamenglong DFO Kh Hitler Singh, RFO Joel Gangmei and Tousem RFO A Promeshwor Singh as resource persons.

Altogether 40 village authorities attended the programme.

Later, the team visited Khoupanglang Cave located near the office of DC Tamenglong, exploring the cave, which has been identified as another promising site for eco-tourism development.

Workshop, awareness on eco-tourism held

The initiative is part of a series of people-centric, income-generating projects being spearheaded under the guidance of Anurag Bajpai, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF), and Additional Chief Secretary, Commerce and Industries, TA & Hills.

The workshop focused on promoting eco-tourism activities centred on the Arai Bat Cave and its adjacent natural swimming pool.

As part of the initiative, the Forest Department has committed to supporting the local community in developing eco-tourism infrastructure around these natural sites, aiming to generate livelihood opportunities while preserving the environment.

A workshop cum introduction on carbon financing projects was also conducted at Azuram village, which was attended by village chairman Meitholin Riamei as president.

The village, which maintains a Community Reserve covering 5.81 sq km, plays a vital role in carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation.

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), in collaboration with the Forest Department, will implement carbon financing projects in the region to further enhance environmental conservation and sustainable development.

These initiatives reflect the government's commitment to empowering local communities through sustainable tourism and climate action.