From a Correspondent
PIPSORANG, Nov 6: An eight-day trekking expedition and exploration programme in the Kongto Raba Mountain Range was flagged off by Tourism Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona at Niyobia village under Pipsorang circle of Kra Daadi district on Friday, highlighting the region's potential for eco-tourism and adventure tourism.
The expedition has been organised by the Pipsorang Area Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism Promotion Society (PANRCATPS), with at least 80 trekkers, including 30 registered participants, taking part in the programme.
The expedition is being led by local Everester Tagit Sorang and Kabak Yano, the youngest woman Everester from Northeast India. Jikke Tako, MLA of Tali Assembly Constituency, is also participating in the trek.
Addressing the gathering, Sona emphasised that the success of tourism largely depends on the hospitality and cooperation of local communities. Appreciating the organising society for developing a new tourism product, he urged the team to comprehensively document the expedition to facilitate publicity and promote the region as an emerging tourism destination.
PANRCATPS chairman Sorang Tania submitted a memorandum to the minister seeking inclusion of the Kongto Raba trekking expedition in the state's annual tourism calendar. MLA Jikke Tako highlighted the role of trekking and adventure tourism in attracting visitors and generating livelihood opportunities for local communities.
Urban Development, Housing and Land Management and Civil Aviation Minister Balo Raja also extended support to the memorandum, stressing the need to recognise the expedition as an annual event in the state tourism calendar to accelerate tourism development in Kra Daadi district.
During the visit, Sona also inaugurated a 20-bedded hostel building and Unit Type-II residential quarters at Niyobia under the jurisdiction of the SDO, Pipsorang.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by Minister Balo Raja, Kra Daadi Zilla Parishad Chairperson Tagru Kasha, Deputy Commissioner Yame Higio, Eco-Tourism Development Board Vice-Chairman Tagru Ponung, community leaders and other stakeholders.
The eight-day expedition is expected to showcase the scenic beauty, rich biodiversity and adventure tourism potential of the Kongto Raba Mountain Range, while opening up new opportunities for sustainable tourism and livelihood generation in Kra Daadi district.