Newmai News Network Imphal | September 27 Tourists around the world are attracted to places endowed with natural beauties and not to modern buildings, stated Manipur Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh. Ibobi was speaking at the World Tourism Day 2016 celebration today at Mapao Zingsho, a Tangkhul village located under Saikul assembly constituency in Senapati district. The event was organised by Tourism Department, Government of Manipur. Ibobi said that tourism is one of the fast growing industries without much capital investment which can bring about economic growth and employment generation. Expressing his happiness over the natural beauty and pollution free environment of Mapao Zingsho village, the Chief Minister said that if conducive environment is provided along with development of infrastructures, the Mapao Zingsho village can be developed into a tourist destination for which he appealed to the villagers not to cut down trees in order to conserve the natural beauty and clean environment. The Chief Minister assured that the government will look into the matter of unavailability of mobile network, opening of LPG gas agency and construction of a tourist auditorium as requested by the villagers among others. He also said that the government will extend its help in its capacity to make the village a tourist destination. Towards this, he appealed to all to join hands. Also speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam said that the village is a heritage and asset of the state. With the natural beauties and uniqueness of the village, it would become a tourist destination, he observed. He appealed the villagers to conserve nature and the greeneries around the village and put all efforts to make the place a beautiful resort. Parliamentary Secretary M. Prithviraj Singh, local MLA Yamthong Haokip, Chief secretary O. Nabakishore singh, Consul General of Govt. of India to Guangzhou, China, Sailas Thangal, Consultant to the Govt. of Manipur R.K. Nimai Singh, Addl. CEO and former Secretary Tourism Nidhi Mani Tripathy, Special Secretary Tourism N. Ashok Kumar, DC Senapati C. Arthur and director Tourism N. Bandana devi also attended the function. Presentation of dramatised version of “Otrei khapung” an act of carrying harvested paddy on the back from the paddy to the village and Tangkhul folk dances and other entertainment programmes were the highlights of the day. Later, a “Home Stay” (a guest house) was also inaugurated by the Chief Minister in the village. The theme of this year’s WTD 2016 is ‘Tourism for All- Promoting Universal Accessibility.