Dipen Gogoi
(The writer can be reached at
dipengogoi6368@gmail.com)
Tourism is the world's largest and fastest growing industry. It is an invisible export that earns valuable foreign exchange without any significant or tangible loss of internal resources. It is also a source of revenue and employment. Tourism is the principal source of revenue in many countries of the world.
Rivers comprise a real tourism asset. They give dynamite settings, entertainment offices, a method of transport, a feeling of legacy and exploit, and connections with nature's domain and common planet. River tourism represents a huge extent of the planet's tourism utilization.
Assam has always been captivating a large number of individuals by its atmosphere of myths, riddle, music, mountains, waterways, and all the blessings of nature. A few will deny that Assam has the potential to become a strong state in sustainable tourism.
The mighty Brahmaputra, a major river of central and south Asia, is a boon to Assam that serves as the lifeline of the state. It is also called 'the sorrow of Assam' as it becomes destructive in the rainy season and does a good deal of harm to the people of Assam. This is the reason some people argue that it is not a boon but a bane to Assam. However, one should comfort oneself by the saying- 'every coin has two sides.'
It is indeed a blessing that around the nineteen most important tourist hot spots of the state are situated near the banks of the river Brahmaputra. One of the planet's biggest streams, the Brahmaputra and its tributaries Manas, Jia Bhoroli and Kapili move through the state offering a wide system of waterways. They additionally offer a tremendous extension for river rafting. The red hot rapids in these streams fuel the soul of escapade in anybody.
Assam is the focal state in the Northeast region of India and is the best place for river tourism in the country. It also helps in the transportation of people and material. The Inland Water Transport (IWT) services were started in the year 1958 in Assam. Since then the state has been making use of the Brahmaputra river abundantly for transportation purposes.
In recent years, cruise tourism has also emerged as an astonishing adventure across the river. It is worth mentioning that CNN international in 2013 has acknowledged Brahmaputra cruises as one of the top ten most adventure cruises. Regrettably, cruise tourism in Assam is still at the nascent stage. The Brahmaputra waterways can, no doubt, be high-potential industry. Tourists can experience the unsurpassed scenic beauty being amidst the mighty Brahmaputra.
The wildlife preserves, such as Dibru-saikhowa National Park, Pani Dihing Bird Sanctuary, Kaziranga National Park, Orang National Park, Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Burha Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. that stand on either bank of the Brahmaputra can shine as great attractions for the tourists. It's imperative that these be connected by the waterways. This will surely give a new direction to the tourism industry if materialized. This will pave the way for the foreign tourists who visit Kaziranga, to carry out a more detailed exploration of the other sanctuaries and natural resources of the state.
Majuli, the largest river island in the world and the hub of the Assamese's Xatriya culture, has always been the dream destination for tourists. The Raas festival celebrated in Majuli attracts tourists from the other states of India and abroad including the people of Assam. Many foreign tourists visit Majuli every year to enjoy this grand Raas festival. Besides, they feel blessed to get familiarized with its vast and varied religious and cultural heritage. The enchanting scenic beauty of the river island has always been beckoning to the foreign travellers. Sources reveal that in the year 2006-07 and 2008-09, four hundred and more than five hundred foreigners respectively had visited Majuli. Since cultural tourism is becoming increasingly popular all over the world today, Majuli, with its ethnic and cultural diversity, has a huge potential for the same.
Apart from the above, adventure sports like speed boating, water skating, parasailing and swimming etc., can be introduced in the Brahmaputra. Also, addition of nature walks, trekking, canoeing and elephant safari, etc., will surely make it more attractive to those tourists who are keen on adventure sports. Undoubtedly, a stay in a gorgeous over-water villa is a bit different from the norm. So, government should take initiatives to encourage the entrepreneurs to set up cool floating or over-water accommodations on the Brahmaputra replicating the gorgeous resorts and hotels common to Thailand. These will not only attract the tourists to Assam but also contribute to the overall experience of their trip.
Besides, a long voyage along the Brahmaputra, listening to the soothing sound of splashing waves of the river, can undoubtedly be a thrilling and memorable experience for the tourists. The riversides of the Brahmaputra can be go-to-options for the tourists provided the government of Assam and the Assam Tourism Development Corporation take proper initiative to organize colourful fairs and festivals in winter with pomp and gaiety. Also, various traditional and other sports can be held in order to arouse the tourists of all categories.
Quite regrettably, resort tourism in the Brahmaputra is still at an extremely beginning stage. The tourism department needs to prioritize transforming the Brahmaputra and its tributaries into the most sought- after destination in both the national and international arena. It must be admitted that innovative tourism activities on the Brahmaputra have been launched in recent years, but there are many more to be done. The State government needs to work in tandem with the union ministry in this sector. It should come up vigorously to address the issues which are major reasons for the holdback in tourism from flourishing. A few such issues include- lack of publicity and adequate reach out programmes with information to the potential domestic and international tourists, negative publicity about the law-and-order scenario of Assam, etc.
Everyone, as an Assamese can take pride in the fact that the existence of the unique and diverse tourist products in the mighty Brahmaputra and its tributaries and on their banks is rare on the tourist map of the planet earth. So, the government should successfully develop an infrastructure conducive to the promotion of the tourism industry on the Brahmaputra and on its bank. It must give top priority to the development of this sector because it can substantially contribute to the earnings of the state. It should be ensured that the tourists visiting Assam never fail to mark their presence in the great Brahmaputra river.