Imphal, October 30: Manipur has fully endorsed the recently introduced National Tourism Policy which is exhaustive and touches upon almost all facets of tourism.

While endorsing it fully, the North Eastern States expressed their desire to include a chapter on development of tourism infrastructure with hundred percent Central funding in the region which has tremendous potential.

Giving the State's view in the Conference of State Chief Ministers and Tourism Ministers on the New Tourism Policy held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee at New Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan, Advisor to the Governor, K Kipgen expressed hope that the Central Government will provide the much needed thrust and energize the development of the tourism sector the non polluting industry.

He said, besides the salubrious climate and scenic beauty, Manipur can offer a vast potential for development of adventure tourism including water sports, historical and religious tourism, promotion of the rich cultural festivals, indigenous games, colorful, classical and folk dances, polo, artistic and colorful handlooms and handicrafts.

The proposed New Tourism Policy, he added, should also include identified tourist circuits in the entire North Eastern region to be promoted jointly by the private tour operators, Central and State Government to help tap the rich potential of the States in the region to earn the much needed revenues, improve economy and also to generate opportunities for the unemployed youths.

Kipgen further said that Manipur which is often referred to as the 'Shangrila' of the North East has a rich tourism potential and is a gift of nature.

The Loktak Lake, the biggest fresh water lake in the region, offers a tremendous potential for development of water sports while the hills offer unending possibilities for development of adventure tourism.

This will however require development of requisite infrastructure such as roads, railways hotels, tourist resorts etc.

The Advisor highlighted the fact that the game of Polo known as 'Sagol Kangjei' in Manipuri originated from the State.

He also mentioned that other indigenous games like Khong-Kangjei, Kang, Yubi Lakpi, Mukna, Hiyang Tannaba, Thang-ta etc will provide exotic experience to foreign and domestic tourists.

Pointing out the places of historical importance, Kipgen mentioned the INA Memorial complex at Moirang, bronze statue of Subash Chandra Bose installed at Moirang, Khongjom War Mamorial, Shaheed Minar at BT park, Nupee Lan Memorial complex, Kaina Hills, Shree Govindajee Temple.

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