Senapati, April 11: Ecotourism is a form of tourism that involves visiting fragile, pristine, and relatively undisturbed natural areas, with the aim of conserving these areas and improving the well-being of local communities. It seeks to build environmental awareness, provide direct financial benefits for conservation, empower local people, and promote local cultures. Senapati district, with its serene beauty, abundant flora and fauna, and rich cultural heritage, has immense potential to develop and emerge as a leading ecotourism destination. To promote ecotourism in the district, the Senapati Forest Division is working in collaboration with local stakeholders and various line departments to develop Senapati into a premier ecotourism destination.
The tourist destination at Dziiduri, Tunngam village, has been selected as the pilot destination. A meeting of stakeholders was held on 10th April 2025 in the office chamber of the DFO Senapati, where the future action plan to promote and develop ecotourism at Dziiduri was discussed. The first line of action was deliberated at length, with emphasis on generating mass-scale awareness to sensitize the public on conservation issues and how ecotourism has the potential to benefit the local population.
Aneow Ngaopuo, a member of the Hills Ecotourism Adventure Team Manipur, highlighted that “There are many activities which the team planned to carry out but were unable to due to lack of funds. The initiatives by the Forest Department in promoting ecotourism have boosted our morale and encouraged us to strive forward in our goal to conserve nature.” He also expressed hope that the initiative will encourage and inspire youths from across Senapati to promote ecotourism and protect the environment.
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On a different note, under the PVTG Van Dhan Vikas Kendra initiative of the PM JANMAN (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan) Scheme, a meeting with stakeholders and beneficiaries of the Maram tribe in Senapati district was held at the office of the Divisional Forest Officer, Senapati. Currently, two VDVKCs have been formed under the scheme, namely Naojai VDVK and Willong VDVK, with beneficiaries from Lairouching, Willong Khullen, Willong Khunou, Katomei, Katomei Centre, and Maram Khunou Village. Leaders and representatives of both Naojai VDVK and Willong VDVK, along with a representative from the Maram Union, were present during the meeting.
Shanngam S., IFS, DFO of Senapati Forest Division, emphasized the importance of the scheme in uplifting the social and economic status of the PVTG population in the district. A presentation on the scheme was shared and explained to the group. The intervention includes income-generating avenues such as value addition of minor forest produce (MFP), handloom, and the use of biomass to produce charcoal briquettes.
Lolee Leshiini Kriibve Mao, RFO of Karong Range, informed the attendees about the way forward. Information on advocacy, selection of trade and line of vocation, and training opportunities was provided. Alice Honghurita, Leader of Tokaha SHG, noted that all the VDVK leaders present at the meeting were pleased and enthusiastic about taking up all the activities under the PM JANMAN Scheme. She assured that all leaders would coordinate with their respective SHG members to sensitize them about the scheme and ensure its proper implementation.
Livingstone Joshua, Finance Secretary of the Maram Union, emphasized that the implementation of the scheme would help uplift the community. He expressed his delight at being part of the meeting and encouraged all members involved in the programme to coordinate with the department to ensure the scheme’s successful implementation.