Chizokho Vero
Kohima, May 24 (MExN): The National Draft Policy for Tribals, for instance, lumps all tribal groups together, and has little applicability to the tribal population of the north east. Neither the Ministry of Tourism of the Government of India nor the Indian Travel Trade nor the Tourism Finance Corporation of India have shown any substantiatve interest in developin tourism within the region. This has added to the feeling of isolation and alienation.
This was reflected in the draft Kohima declaration of the Two-day seminar on cultural tourism and crafts and textiles of North East which ended here this evening.
The declaration recognized the North East as one of extraordinarily rich and varied cultural diversities, with numerous ethnic communities, each with distinct cultures and ethos. It is, nevertheless, largely unknown to the outside world including the rest of India.
Both cultural tourism and the marketing of traditional crafts and textiles can, moreover, serve as powerful catalysts for the preservation and viability of both the tangible and the intangible heritage of the region.
The declaration also stated that the geographical isolation of the northeast region from the rest of India has resulted in a corresponding isolation from the markets for the region’s product.
The declaration said that cultural tourism development should be seriously, perhaps more seriously than development in any other sector, be taken up.
The declaration also came with a step of developing a joint Northeast Tourism Policy, that includes integrated management plans (marketing, publicity and promotional material), development of heritage tourist circuits and infrastructure development, as well as promotion of traditional handicrafts and textiles, the states of the region have an opportunity to achieve positive impact of many kinds.
“However, the policy must be practical and result-oriented, as well as be sensitive to cultural and heritage concerns,”the declaration reads.
The traditional “top-down” mindset of tourism promotion must be changed to one in which the role of the government and outside promoters is limited to provision of investment in infrastructure and facilities, and partnership in marketing.
The GoI should be encouraged to take up more pro-active role in development of connectivity within the region (in terms of air, rail and road development); incorporation of the North East region in all tourism development and marketing schemes; and improvement of knowledge of the north east region through additions to the education syllabus. All tourism development in the region, not just development of cultural tourism, must help to preserve and sustain the tangible and intangible heritage of the region.
The declaration also stated that handicraft and textile sector development, as essential components of intangible heritage, should be integrated with cultural tourism development.
Cultural tourism marketing in the North East should emphasized the great strengths of the region, which include; an unusual “melting pot” character in a very small geographical area; a landscape of immense variety and beauty; natural resources that can be used for numerous forms of adventure and sports tourism in addition to cultural tourism; inhabitants who are courteous, hospitable, and generally speaking-English; rich and varied traditions of crafts and performing arts; a large number of tribal communities ensuring an almost constant range of festivals and performances.
“Cultural tourism development will also, however, have to address the following major weakness; lack of connectivity; lack of internal infrastructure, including lodging and eating facilities of a suitable standard; negative image; safety concerns in regard to insurgency and unrest; and potential opposition to inclusion of local stakeholders from vested political interests,” the declaration continued.
It was also resolved that the Tourism Finance Corporation of India should make its presence felt in a more positive manner, taking up projects and offering consultancy.
ITACH also offered to give greater focus to the north east in taking up pilot projects relating to heritage circuits and programmes relating to the need for creating awareness of the rich heritage of the North East region to school children both within the region and outside.
It is the considered recommendation of this seminar that the recommendations of the Itanagar declaration of 29 September 2005 be integrated with the Kohima Declaration recommendations, and that a North East Cell in the Prime Minister’s office, empowered to coordinate with various ministries concerned, be established to ensure that the North East region takes its rightful place in the national agenda for development and progress.
It was also resolved to set up a special cell within INTACH with eminent members and experts to coordinate with the PMO and other concern ministries in order to remove bottlenecks when necessary and to monitor the progress of various issues related to the northeast region.
