The scenic village of Shergaon in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district recently hosted the two-day “Responsible Tourism Meet-2025”, bringing together key stakeholders from the tourism industry, government officials, community leaders, and NGOs from across Arunachal and the Northeast. Organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, the event focused on community-led, culturally rooted, and ecologically responsible tourism development.
The meet featured interactive sessions with homestay and farm stay owners, village council members, and grassroots NGOs. A highlight of the event was the presentation by NGO Zgang Depga from Jigaon, who shared their “Project Granjo – Cherry Blossom Tree Sponsorship Programme”, a innovative initiative combining conservation and community livelihood through tourism. The programme aims to promote ecotourism and support local communities by sponsoring cherry blossom trees, while also protecting the region’s unique biodiversity.
Villages from across the region, including Gobuk and Simong (Upper Subansiri), Labokore (Shi-Yomi), Chullyu (Keyi Panyor), and Tirap, Changlang, and Longding, shared their innovative efforts in tourism based on sustainability, heritage preservation, and inclusive participation. Participants also visited notable Shergaon landmarks, including the Garung Thuk Community Library, the state horticulture farm, trout hatchery, Kamcho Yami (Thungi Gonpa) rhododendron garden, Zengbu Gonpa, Sacred Groves, Yokmuzor Buddha Park, and Chillipam Gonpa, experiencing firsthand how local culture and ecology form the backbone of tourism in the region.
The event was attended by Tourism Director Manjunath R, Deputy Director Bengia Manna Sonam, rural tourism advisor Raj Basu, culture and development expert Madhura Dutta, Indo-Bhutan Friendship Association coordinator Soham Chakraborty, Hindustan Times CX Head Saurav Shukla, and various district tourism officers and APTOA members. Local NGO Garung Thuk, represented by chairman Ledo Thungun, vice chairman DK Thungon, and member Lobsang Tashi Thungon, added local wisdom and leadership to the event.
The meet concluded with a collective commitment to shaping a future where tourism empowers local communities, protects nature, and preserves the unique cultural identity of the region. As the event drew to a close, the participants acknowledged the importance of responsible tourism in promoting sustainable development and preserving the region’s rich cultural heritage. With its focus on community-led tourism, this meet serves as a model for responsible tourism initiatives across the region, and its outcome is expected to have a lasting impact on the local communities and the environment.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/arunachal-pradesh/story/arunachal-shergaon-meet-charts-path-for-sustainable-tourism-in-northeast-1195797-2025-04-08?utm_source=rssfeed
Category :
Tags:
Publish Date: 2025-04-08 13:09:00
