‘India’s last Shangri-La’: Arunachal to host 16th annual convention on adventure tourism

The curtain raiser session covered topics related to tourism and hospitality in Arunachal Pradesh, including cultural attractions, improvements in accessibility, post-Covid recovery, the net zero agenda and the consequences of over-tourism.

Citing his visits to Arunachal Pradesh, ATOAI president Ajit Bajaj said the convention would showcase the opportunities the state has to offer and bring economic growth and global recognition. He said his views on the state becoming the next big tourist destination resonate with those of Chief Minister Pema Khandu.

“The convention will involve travelling to Tawang from Guwahati (Assam) via Dirang. We will go up to Bumla and spend significant time networking and sharing knowledge with adventure tour operators to explore the possibilities of adventure tourism,” he said.

The itinerary will also include a visit to the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports at Dirang in West Kameng district.

Bajaj emphasised that the convention would be a net-zero event. “We will calculate the carbon footprint and aim to reduce it to champion responsible tourism, showcasing it to chart the route for the entire industry,” he said.

Highlighting the ATOAI’s vision of positioning India among the top 10 tourist destinations globally, Bajaj said, “We now have a national board for adventure tourism chaired by the secretary of tourism, Government of India. We are working on safety guidelines, skill development and engaging with state governments.”

The convention’s chairperson, Oken Tayeng of the People’s Party of Arunachal, remarked that the state is among the “last bastions of wilderness”. “The state can become one of the major playgrounds for adventure tourism globally, with activities like mountain biking, trekking and mountaineering. This convention will provide an opportunity to brainstorm best practices for tourist destinations and learn from what has not worked in other regions. It will be a fresh start for us to understand how to operate the industry sustainably,” he said.

With a population of 1.38 million, Arunachal Pradesh is home to 26 major tribes and over 100 sub-tribes. The state witnesses an annual tourist footfall of approximately 5,00,000. Each pocket of the state boasts unique and vibrant cultures across its diverse ecology. However, unexplored destinations with sensitive ecologies face the risk of tourist negligence, which can lead to pollution and disruption of traditional practices.

Tayeng informed indianexpress.com that certain institutional mechanisms are being implemented, and sensitisation sessions will be provided to tourists to prevent littering. He also emphasised the need to eliminate single-use plastics from the state.

“We have seen tourist cars driving through lakes in Ladakh; we can prevent that here by informing visitors of the ‘dos and don’ts’ of the destination. It is not just about the quantity of tourists, but also the quality,” he said. “To address the risk of over-tourism, increasing prices could be an effective strategy.”

Tayeng added, “Tribal areas have very unique cultures and lifestyles; preventing disruption boils down to advisories—teaching travellers to respect cultural sensibilities and ensuring that their culture is not appropriated.”

Tayeng noted that Bhalukpong serves as the entry point for mainland visitors, where they receive a preliminary sensitisation session. He said that growth should be steady and careful for the best results.

Arun Shrivastav, Joint Director General, Ministry of Tourism, said that Arunachal is among the most beautiful tourist locations. He stated, “The ministry is working closely with the ATOAI to formulate rescue centre guidelines and capacity-building programmes. We have seen progress on issues related to insurance and satellite phones.”

Among the dignitaries present, state Secretary of Tourism Ranphoa Ngowa highlighted that the state’s pristine landscapes and unparalleled biodiversity provide the perfect canvas for sustainable tourism that respects nature and empowers local communities. He mentioned activities like river rafting in the Sikang river, paragliding and skiing.

Regarding the cuisines in the state, Ngowa said every tribe has its own unique dishes and that the food is organic. “We have unique cooking methods, such as rice cooked in bamboo. In Khonsa and Deomali, there is a method of cooking meat using river stones,” he said.

According to Tourism Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona, developing the tourism industry is one of the ideal choices for achieving economic prosperity without pollution. Therefore, the Government is focusing on the growth of the sector. “Connectivity issues were the reason why the potential of the state was hidden. Today, you can travel to any corner of Arunachal Pradesh,” he said.

“We have invited influencers and amateur bloggers to explore Arunachal Pradesh on Tourism Day. Social media is the biggest window to showcase the state, whether we like it or not. Steps are being taken to mitigate the negative impacts of tourist overflow, and local populations are also being educated about garbage segregation for non-biodegradable waste,” Sona told indianexpress.com.