Does Nagaland require a State Tourism Council?

Morung Express News 
Dimapur | February 2

As the tourism sector continues to be a key potential area of growth and investment for the state, a recent proposal put up by members representing Nagaland Hotel and Restaurant Association (NHRA) has brought attention for the government to form a statutory body called, ‘Nagaland Tourism Council’ as part of the Ministry of Tourism’s Incredible India's tourism policy for safe and honorable tourism. This, they argue would delineate decision making process to the grassroots level to stop environmental degradation, protect women and children against exploitation.

What is the Nagaland Tourism Council? 
According to media & tourism secretary of NHRA, the Nagaland Tourism Council had been first conceptualized in the year 2011 during a ‘joint state consultation on responsible tourism’ meeting organised by Impulse Network, Community Education Centre Society and Bethesda Youth. The idea was to form a Nagaland Tourism Council, headed by the Tourism Department along with various stakeholders such as law enforcements, Child Helpline, women NGOs, media, labour, Taxi Association, identified tourism villages, Forest, environment and all those directly or indirectly involved in the tourism industry to make tourism ‘sustainable, equitable and just.’ 

This will also to safeguard locals and prevent environmental degradation and exploitation of women and children.
The members of NHRA stated that similar state tourism councils has already been set up in Skikkim and Meghalaya.

Streamline decisions and policies down to  grassroots
Another key benefit of forming the tourism council would be to the streamline decision making process while conducting regular workshops, training, seminars, sourcing of funds for development and infrastructure at the village level. Moreover, many common adversaries and problems related to the tourism sector will be warded off, they argue. 

To this end a resolution had been adopted at that time on April 11, 2011 to appeal to the government for formation of the state tourism council. However, no further action had been initiated on the state’s part, they said. 

Recently, the members representative had also submitted the same proposal copies to the Additional Director of Tourism Department on January 19 during the 2nd Nagaland International Trade Expo 2024 as well.