HT Correspondent
DARAK, June 1: A one-day public and stakeholders’ consultative meeting on the theme “Tourism in Darak: Prospects, Challenges, Initiatives So Far and Way Forward” was organised by the Darak Tourism and Social Welfare Foundation (DTSWF) at the Community Hall in Darak, West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, on May 30.
An official statement issued on Monday said that the programme aimed to gather public feedback, facilitate policy discussions and highlight initiatives undertaken by the NGO to promote sustainable tourism, environmental conservation and socio-economic development in the region.
Related Posts:
Welcoming the participants, Jummo Potom outlined the organisation’s activities and stressed the long-term importance of tourism, nature conservation, wildlife protection and community development in Darak.
Participants deliberated on a wide range of issues, including nature and wildlife conservation, responsible tourism and hospitality practices, research and documentation of local flora and fauna, beautification drives, promotion of homestays and farm stays, and the use of Google mapping and GPS technology for tourism sites and public locations.
Other key proposals discussed included the establishment of an Orchid Sanctuary-cum-Botanical Garden, promotion of eco-tourism and community conservation areas, fish conservation and sustainable angling activities, and the introduction of a “Green School” concept at the Government Secondary School, Darak, to encourage environmental awareness among students.
The meeting also endorsed the adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework to support the socio-economic development of the area.
The event witnessed participation from homestay operators, members of the Darak Mahila Samiti, farmers’ clubs, self-help groups, youth and students, Panchayat leaders, Gaon Burahs, government officials, community-based organisations, market committee members and retired government employees.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Poknanda Raksap.
Following the meeting, Jummo Potom planted a Foxtail Orchid (Rhynchostylis retusa), the state flower of Arunachal Pradesh, in Darak town as a symbolic launch of an awareness campaign on environmental conservation and biodiversity.
The initiative is being implemented as a pilot project by the Darak Biodiversity Club, a sub-organisation of DTSWF, with active community participation.
As part of the beautification campaign, DTSWF also distributed Cosmos flower seeds to various colonies of Darak township and nearby villages and launched a community cleanliness drive aimed at enhancing the area’s appeal as a tourism destination.
