A green tourism conclave was held in Shillong last week, a groundbreaking initiative of Indian Express Online Media, focused on the promotion of green and responsible tourism in India, with a particular emphasis on the Northeastern region and Odisha.
The Green Tourism India conclave, which was held on October 19 in Shillong’s state convention centre, saw the partnership of Meghalaya Tourism, Incredible India, Odisha Tourism and Arunachal Tourism. It also witnessed guests, delegates and participants engaging in discussions and presentations, followed by a cultural performance.
Meghalaya’s Tourism Minister Bah Paul Lyngdoh was the chief guest, while other attendees included Cyril Diengdoh, Director of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya and Managing Director of the Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation; Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Director Tourism, Government of Odisha, and Sanjay Sindhwani, CEO, Indian Express Online Media.
Lyngdoh called for a regional tourism policy for the Northeast and said the conclave will “help reach and publicise this event widely”.
“Tourism can become a sustainable means of livelihood when we open our doors to visitors to discover this remote part of the country which has so much to offer and so much to discover. We are coming up with a new legislation for eco-fragile zones which will stop any construction activity in that area,” he added.
While Diengdoh emphasised that the green and responsible tourism is the only way forward in the Northeast, Sindhwani said the industry, trade and consumers have to push for a change to get sustainable tourism into practice.
Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav presented Odisha’s ecotourism initiatives and how they could be adapted in the Northeast.
The conclave saw a session titled ‘The Great Outdoors: What Makes the Northeast the Perfect Destination for Adventure and Eco-Tourism’, where experts shared shared insights on adventure and eco-tourism in India. Another panel discussion on ‘Community Tourism and Homestays in the Northeast’ looked into community-based tourism in the region.
Gerald Samuel Duia, General Secretary of the Tour Operators Association of Meghalaya, presented a case study on the challenges and opportunities in tourism in Meghalaya. Another session emphasised the importance of sustainable luxury travel, while the final session provided valuable insights from experts in the field.
