In addition, Sikkim’s Pelling and Kanchenjunga has secured the Gold Award for Best Mountain and Hill Views Destination in India
IndiGlobal Bureau
The Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam has been awarded with the Gold Award for Best Wildlife Destination in India by Outlook Traveller. In addition, Sikkim’s Pelling and Kanchenjunga has secured the Gold Award for Best Mountain and Hill Views destination in India. The four Northeastern states have been facilitated for their immense contribution to promoting sustainable tourism.
Best Scenic Drive Destination in India has been conferred to Sikkim’s Lake Tsomgo and Nathu-La-Pass. Meghalaya’s Mawlynnong and Nagaland’s Khonoma have also been conferred with Best Eco-Tourism destination In India and Silver Award for Best offbeat destination in India respectively.
Besides Assam, three other states in the Northeast—Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Sikkim were recognised for their immense contribution to promoting sustainable tourism.
The north eastern states have been giving a lot of importance to sustainable tourism. Unlike other states, big glass and chrome buildings have not come up in the region. Last week, Union minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman who is on a three-day visit to Nagaland remarked that home stay had a huge potential in boosting the local economy. She advised that visitors should be encouraged to stay at Naga homes to familiarise them with Naga culture. She asked the State’s Tourism Department to come up with innovative ideas in this regard. Likewise, Meghalaya’s Mawlynnong the cleanest village in the country has a lot to show and lead in community living and take tourism a notch higher.
For several years, the north-eastern states have been working for a sustainable development model in many sectors especially tourism. Endowed with natural beauty and reasonably good awareness among the people to protect the ecology and also safeguard the unique culture, the northeastern states have been upping the ante in ecotourism and sustainable tourism.