Arunachal CM Pema Khandu underscores role of Army in tourism development

Our Correspondent

Itanagar: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday underscored the significant role the Army can play with its resources by providing training to trainers in the hospitality and adventure sports sectors in the State.

During a meeting with General Officer Commanding (GOC) of, 56 Infantry Division of the Army, Major General Ajay Kumar Vig, who called on him at his office here, Khandu pointed out that the presence of Army in almost all tourist circuits of the state offers ample scope for it in contributing towards the development of tourism.

During the meeting, both the Chief Minister and the GoC discussed ways and means and the way forward to promote tourism in the State and the Army’s role in the endeavor.

Khandu appreciated Maj Gen Vig, who had taken over as GOC of the Likabali-based 56 Infantry division only a month ago, for his keen interest in the promotion of tourism in Arunachal Pradesh and his offer to coordinate with the State government in this regard.

He informed the GOC that he had met Lt Gen Anil Chauhan, GOC-in-Chief of the Army’s Eastern Command and discussed in detail the role the Army can play in promoting Arunachal Pradesh as a hot tourist destination in the country.

Khandu expressed optimism that with Lt Gen Chauhan’s vision and Maj Gen Vig’s interest, a concrete plan would soon be chalked out that would take the tourism industry of the state to the next level, an official communique informed.

The Chief Minister observed that the Army can play a pivotal role in disciplines like hospitality, housekeeping, white water rafting and para-sailing that have huge potential in the state’s tourism sector.

He assured that a meeting would soon be convened in this regard with the State’s Tourism Department and the Army to set the ball rolling.

To the suggestion of the GOC that few stretches of roads need to be taken care of, the Chief Minister informed that all decks for construction of the stretch from Potin to Pangin have been cleared. He assured that arterial roads, which are in poor conditions, are also being taken up on top priority.

Khandu said the State government is also constructing wayside amenities in tourist circuits for ease of tourists visiting places. He also informed about the schemes like the Mukhya Mantri Paryatan Vikas Yojana and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swawlamban Yojana under which financial assistance is being provided to local entrepreneurs to set up tourism-related projects.

The Chief Minister emphasized on ‘responsible tourism’ with respect to the protection of the environment while imparting training to local entrepreneurs. He said the 56 Infantry Division can be roped in for the Subansiri and Lohit belts while the 71 Infantry Division can be roped in for the Kameng belt for promotion of tourism.

Acknowledging the huge tourism potential of the State, Maj Gen Vig offered the Division’s all-out support and cooperation to the State government to tap it. He informed that the Army already has in place systems to provide training in sectors like homestays and adventure sports like white water rafting, kayaking, trekking, camp setting, para-sailing, and mountaineering.

The GOC said the Army is ready to cooperate with the state’s Tourism Department in conducting training provided the department identified the fields and potential trainers and entrepreneurs.

He also suggested that the state government plan a large-scale event for the promotion of tourism potential and assured the Army’s fullest cooperation in preparing for it as well as in its conduction.

Maj Gen Vig, He informed Khandu that he had already done the groundwork of identifying sectors and places that could be worked upon, to begin with, which would be submitted to the Tourism department.

While thanking the chief minister for his positive response to the suggestion put forward, Maj Gen Vig assured participation of the 56 Infantry Division in all future meetings and consultations to promote tourism in the state, the communique added.

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