Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki on Thursday said that tourism could be money-spinner, besides generating massive direct and indirect employment.
"This is the beginning of growth of spiritual and eco tourism in this part of Arunachal Pradesh with Lord Buddha's relics installed in the pagoda for a week-long exposition providing a golden opportunity for inflow of tourists," Tuki said after inaugurating the Golden Pagoda eco resort tourism complex in Lohit district here today
In a picturesque environment overlooking the Golden Pagoda the Rs 469.26 lakh project of Union Tourism Ministry includes four special suits, eight executive suits (twin sharing), two dormitories to accommodate 20 persons each, a restaurant, multipurpose hall, an administrative block, car parking land scapping with flower garden that turn a riot of colours under illuminated night after the evening, Tourism Minister Pema Khandu disclosed.
Appreciating the rural works department for its qualitative work, Tourism Parliamentary Secretary P D Sona said the project was completed in 53 months.
"This is a beginning of development of tourism infrastructures at the initiative of union tourism ministry," said Tourism Secretary Sonam Chombay, adding that this would give a new thrust to spiritual and eco tourism.
There are many such projects in the pipeline, Chombay added.
Lok Sabha member Takam Sanjoy, host of ministers including Finance Minister Chowna Mein, lawmakers and officers including Lohit deputy commissioner Rajiv Takuk and SP Tume Amo were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister, his colleagues, dignitaries along with monks would be the first batch to pay their obeisance to Buddha's relics at the nearby pagoda at 8.30 a m tomorrow, facilitating the beginning of exposition followed by the public.
The exposition would continue here till December 12 before the 2,568-year-old relics go back to National Museum in New Delhi. This is the second time the relics were taken outside the museum for exposition after Ladakh.
