Thai team visit Ukhrul to study tourism potential
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 23 2017:
A Thai team from India Study Centre, Mahidol University, led by its chairperson Dr Sophana Srichampa visited Ukhrul district to study the scope and potential of developing tourism in the district in collaboration with the State Government and the people of Ukhrul .
During their visit to Ukhrul district headquarters the Thai team interacted with young entrepreneurs, social leaders, farmers, KVK scientists at 25 Degree North Hotel, Phungreitang for about 2 hours .
Dr Sophana who led the team said that the Thai Government is keen to develop and promote tourism industry in collaboration with the neighbouring countries .
Elaborating, Dr Sophana said that she has studied and researched the prospect of the trilateral highway that will connect India and Thailand as well as the tourism prospect of ASEAN countries and added that the North East region of India has immense potential to be developed as a tourism hot spot .
She mentioned that the region bordering Myanmar is home to rich flora and fauna, beautiful hills, mountains and refreshing greenery .
Ukhrul district is well known across the border for the many rare and endangered species, she added .
Among the few, she noted Shirui lily besides and the Shirui hill which is home to State bird Nongin (Hume bird) as well as the migratory bird (Grey sided thrush, known as Siri locally) which visit Shirui hill every winter in search of tree fruits .
The landscape would be excellent for mountain biking and for trekkers to climb and explore the beauty of nature.
These will really attract many foreign visitors, she noted .
Dr Ramakrishnan, coordinator KVK, Ukhrul gave a brief account of the festivals of the Tangkhul community starting from seed sowing to the post harvest season .
The coordinator elaborated that all the festivals are marked by traditional dances which expose the rich traditional attire of the Tangkhul community .
To welcome the Thai team, traditional Tangkhul cuisine were served to the visitors .
PR Ringshan mentioned that the indigenous food is being served to showcase "our hospitality and not for commercial purpose."
Artax A Shimray informed the Thai team about the various unexplored natural beauty of the district.
Limestone cave, water fall at Khayang, Harva Khangachon, secret place for parted souls etc can become tourist hot spots in future, he observed .
Taking due note of the rich culture, the bio-diversity and the beautiful sceneries of Ukhrul district, Dr Sophana noted that it can turn into a tourism hot spot of the State .
She further encouraged the people to study the model and style of Thailand on running home stay.
The people of Ukhrul can provide this facility to the visitors .
Home stay is the cheapest and fastest means of promoting tourism with minimum investment .
"Apart from proper toiletry system, the most important point to develop tourism industry is hospitality," she added .
The visiting team expressed that relationship can strengthened through cultural exchange programme, academic trade etc .
Such ties will not only boost tourism industry but also strengthen emotional relationship between people of the two countries, they opined.
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