TEZPUR, Sept 28: "All over the world today, the particular form of tourism that is gaining more and more importance is eco-tourism. Eco-tourism has been defined as a form of tourism inspired primarily by the natural history of an area, including its indigenous cultures. The eco-tourist visits relatively underdeveloped areas in the spirit of appreciation, participation and sensitivity. The eco-tourist practises a non-consumptive use of wildlife and natural resources and contributes to the visited area through labour or financial means aimed at directly benefiting the conservation of the site and the economic well-being of the local residents." This was stated by Professor Mahabir Singh, director of the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies, Kolkata. Professor Singh attended the inaugural function of a national seminar at Tezpur University as the chief guest recently, a press release said.
In his speech, Professor Singh also said that the north-eastern region of India was very rich in natural history and indigenous culture. With 11 national parks and wild life sanctuaries with a concentration of nine of them in Assam itself, and many more natural locations famous for natural beauty and scope for adventure sports, the region has tremendous potential for turning into a major tourist destination, he said.
On the natural beauty and isolation of the region in the world map of tourism he said, "Because of the low traffic of tourists (only 0.15 per cent foreign tourists coming to India come to the North-east), the region's natural beauty and habitat is still in a virgin form. But if proper thrust is not provided at an early stage for sustainable growth of tourism, there is a danger of depletion of the natural resources related to tourism."
For finding out appropriate measures for developing the tourism industry in the region with proper vision and planing so that the growth is a sustainable one, the seminar on the topic "Sustainable Growth of Eco-tourism in the North-east" was organized jointly by the Department of Business Administration and Department of Energy, Tezpur University coinciding with the World Tourism Day. The Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies, Kolkata, sponsored the seminar. The inaugural session of the seminar was presided over by Prof. PK Bordoloi, chairman, organizing committee.
The Vice-Chancellor of Tezpur University inaugurated the seminar. The Vice-Chancellor, in his speech, stressed the need for development of eco-friendly activities related to tourism and to preserve the flora and fauna of the north-eastern region.
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