ITANAGAR, Sep 11: Forest officials have advocated for rural tourism and sustainable use of natural resources for rapid socio-economic development of North East people.
Delivering a lecture on rural tourism on the occasion of annual day celebration of GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development, North East Unit here on Monday, Director of National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR), Professor R M Pant elaborated upon the vast tourism potential of the North East India and the scope of developing rural tourism as an industry, which can revolutionize the rural economy of the North East.
Professor Pant also elaborated upon the 7S Mantra of Swaagat (welcome), Soochanaa (information), Suvidhaa (facilitation), Surakshaa (security), Sahyog (cooperation), Sanrachnaa (infrastructure) and Safaai (cleanliness), which has also been included in the new tourism policy of the Government of India.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Principal Secretary, Department of Environment & Forest, Omkar Singh also endorsed the concept of rural tourism for rapid economic development of rural North East.
He stressed upon sustainable use of orchids, rhododendrons, medicinal plants, dyes, etc. for the economic growth of the rural people.
MS Lodhi, Scientist In-charge of NE Unit provided a detailed overview of GBPNIHESD, North East unit and it research programmes.
The institute also celebrated the 130th birth anniversary of Bharat Ranta Pandit Govin Ballabh Pant on the day.
