Destination North East

Despite several picturesque locations, tourism in  NE has never developed as an industry. EVERYONE knows about the Konrak Sun Temple or the temples of Khajuraho. Mughal architecture and buildings attracts thousands of tourists, both international and domestic, every year. But not many had even heard of Madan Kamdev Temple complex in Guwahati or Mir Jumla’s grave near Mancachar. While the Madan Kamdev Temple can be a rival of the Sun Temple, Mir Jumla’s grave built of red stand stone during the Mughal era, can be a favourite destination for domestic as well as international tourists’, apart from the already popular sites such as Fatehpur Sikri or Sikandra. But it is a pity that despite having such places of historic importance along with ample opportunity for adventure tourism, an exotic wild life and many more, tourism in the North-East has never developed as an industry. Lack of publicity, poor infrastructure, chronic unrest, all combined together has robbed the region the opportunity of removing the ‘backward’ tag. There is plenty for tourists in the North-Eastern region. First of all, it is a region which can be visited any time of the year because of its temperate climate. During summer months, the region is lot cooler than the mainland and winters are also not severely cold. Pollution-free environment can be an added attraction.  Geographical and cultural diversity of the region will leave all spell bound. One-horned rhinos in Kaziranga, Sinai in Manipur, different battle sites of World War II, war cemeteries, rains at Cherrapunjee, Buddhist monasteries in Tawang, scope for adventure and cave tourism, North-East has every thing for everyone.

Yet in summer months tourists prefer Shimla or Ooty rather than the North-East. During winter they prefer Kerala or Goa, while North-East with its vast and various attractions continue to wait endlessly for tourists to discover its charm and beauties.

What ails tourism in North-East? The answer is simple. The State Governments of the region are yet to realise the potential of tourism industry. That is why instead of taking measures to attract tourists, the State Governments always prefer to beg funds from the Centre. Like, Goa, tourism can be a major revenue earner for the North-East. But the emphasis is elsewhere. Thus it is no wonder that the North-East is unfortunately well known for unrest and bloodshed rather than adventure tourism or exotic wild life.

Given a chance the tourism industry can transform the economy of the North-East. Here is a pointer. To welcome the New Year 2003, as many as 60,000 people gathered at Bhalukpung in Arunachal Pradesh. Lack of facilities, bad rods could not dampen spirit of the visitors. Bhalukpung is one among the many holiday destinations in the North-East. Yet, no efforts have so far been made to popularise these  destinations.

Similarly no efforts have so far been made to present the region as a whole to international and domestic tourists. The states have been working individually. As a result, a tourist circuit on the lines of Delhi-Agra-Jaipur is yet to come in place in the North-East. Moreover, the region lacks trained manpower required for the hospitality and the tourism industry. Bottlenecks like these should be removed if the region wants to emerge as a major tourist destination. Otherwise, people, both inside and outside India, will remain unaware of its enormous potentials.

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