Tag Archives: north-east India

Nongriat, Meghalaya | Ibex Expeditions

North East India: Responsible Tourism Recommendations at India’s International Tourism Mart 2018

 

Nongriat, Meghalaya Photo Credit: Neil D'Souza | Ibex Expeditions
Nongriat, Meghalaya Photo Credit: Neil D’Souza

The north-eastern part of India is an explorer’s paradise. Part of the eastern Himalaya, the region is covered by the mighty Brahmaputra-Barack river systems and its tributaries. The region has some of the last remaining  rainforests of the Indian subcontinent, that support diverse flora and fauna and several crop species. Dense forests, living roots bridges, emerald pools, high mountains and among these live some of the most amazing tribes of the world. The north-east is truly a gem.

At the 7th International Tourism Mart 2018 for the North East Region, our founder and explorer Mandip Singh Soin was a panellist at a session on adventure and ecotourism development in the region. He gave a number of recommendations to maintain the beauty of the region and work harmoniously with local communities. These included recommending tour operators to get an STCI certification (Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India), and to follow #responsibletourism practice in every step that accrue benefits to the #localcommunities and environment and allow for interactions with the amazing tribes of the region.

International Tourism Mart 2018 - Ibex Expeditions

When tour operators, governments and travellers make responsible tourism and sustainable travel as part of their policy and thought process, good things can be achieved.

North East Tours - Ibex Expeditions

Indian Government Relaxes Protected Area Permit Regime for India’s North-Eastern States

Travellers from other countries can now freely enter the protected areas of India’s pristine north-east – Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur without the need for special permits.

North East Tours - Ibex Expeditions

In effect from 1st April, the Indian Government has decided to relax a six-decade Protect Area Permit regime that restricted foreign tourists from entering certain protected areas. Officials say this has been done to promote tourism. Tourists from Pakistan, China and Afghanistan will not be allowed without special permits.

According to the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, the protected areas currently include Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, Nagaland in the north-east, and parts of Himachal Pradesh,  Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, and Rajasthan. Officials say that the government is looking to open up other areas as well.

This is fantastic news, because it promotes good, hassle-free tourism into some of the most beautiful, remote areas of India!

Read full report here.

Feature Image:  An ex-animal hunter with his grand daughters in Khonoma, Nagaland.
Photo © Tanushree Singh