"In the northeastern region, because of the fragility of habitat and society, it is niche kind of community-based tourism which will succeed and will be sustainable and not the five-star tourism or mass tourism because that can permanently damage the habitat and the society of these innocent people living in this beautiful part of the country," said Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai at a book release function.
Two books titled "Sustainable Tourism Development of Nagaland" and "Tourism Potential of North-East" written by D K Bhalla, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs, were released by Sahai.
He said of late in most of the countries, there has been increasing demand for a broader perspective on the facts of tourism that go beyond any physical impact on natural environment and includes the consideration of how poorer sections of the community can obtain more benefit from tourism.
He said this has been matched by a growing awareness among tourists that a non inclusive attitude towards local people is no longer sustainable.
Emphasising the rich diversity of the northeast, Sahai said the region is almost another world and a place of magical beauty and bewildering diversity.
Describing the region as "paradise" for travellers he said, "It is a land of myths and mysteries, folklore and legends and of many tender dreams. The region is unique with more than 150 tribes speaking as many languages. This is the only place in the world where primitive culture of Neolithic age co-exists with the modern life style. It is a paradise for travellers." PTI ARU
