BHALUKPONG, 3 Jan: The West Kameng tourism department conducted a series of programmes for the local communities of Tippi and Bhalukpong as part of the National Tourism Day celebration from 30 January to 1 February.
The programmes were aimed at empowering the local communities and apprising them of alternative livelihood methods.
Youths from the two areas participated in an awareness programme on avitourism/birding and its ‘tourism scope’ in Bhalukpong and Tippi. Pakke Tiger Reserve (PTR) RFO Kime Rambia, ornithologist Anurag Vishwakarma and Bhalukpong TIO W Eileen Lowangcha were the resource persons.
The participants were also taken to the PTR and to the wildlife sanctuary in Tippi, where they were briefed on bird-watching and were given tips on bird photography.
On the third day, women, youths and other stakeholders from Tippi and Bhalukpong were made aware of community-based tourism and its scope in Tippi.
The TIO made a presentation on rural and community-based tourism.
An open discussion between the tourism stakeholders (homestay owners, tour operators) and the participants regarding development of community-based tourism in Tippi and Bhalukpong was also held. (DIPRO)
