Asserting that the Centre’s development agenda for entire North East, including Arunachal Pradesh, remains a “top priority” to bring the region at par with the rest of the country, Kumari Selja, Union Minister of Tourism, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation announced theCentre ’s approval on creation of a new tourist circuit connecting Doimukh, Sagalee, Pakke-Kessang and Seppa, construction of a Tourist Complex at Tape Hapa and setting up of a Hotel Management Institute at Yupia in Papum Pare district.
The projects are set to give a further boost to the tourism sector in Arunachal Pradesh, which is considered as a favourite tourist destination in the country, she said.
Selja was addressing a big gathering at Aalo, the headquarters of West Siang district after inaugurating the State’s annual mega tourism event, Siang River Festival, at the confluence of Sipu and Yomgo rivers on Sunday.
Referring to the various projects taken up under the PM’s package, the Union Minister said that UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had issued strict instructions to give special attention to the NE States, especially Arunachal Pradesh in materialising the developmental projects.
She said that the Rs 10 crore Hotel Management Institute to be set up at Yupia in Papum Pare district will boost the State’s tourism sector and offer ample opportunities of employment to the locals.
Highly impressed by the diverse colourful cultural programmes displayed at the inaugural function of the five day festival, Selja said that India, including Arunachal Pradesh, has remained a country with unity in diversity.
She further said that the State’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty including wildlife has huge potentials for promotion of cultural tourism and eco-tourism, which could generate more revenue and employment avenues for the youths.
State’s Tourism Minister Jarbom Gamlin, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Gojen Gadi and West Siang Deputy Commissioner Amjad Tak also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, Selja inaugurated the festival by lighting the ceremonial lamp which was followed by display of traditional folk dances by various troupes from Galo, Minyong, Bori, Bokar and Apatani communities.
Apart from putting up of exhibition stalls by different government departments, the major attractions of the festival are food festival, cultural programmes and traditional games and sports. The festival will conclude on January 15 next.