NE to chalk out a regional strategy for natural resources: CM

Gangtok, Apr 28 (UNI) Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has urged the North Eastern states to chalk out a strategy to explore the rich natural resources of the region.

Speaking at the ninth annual NERCPA on 'Prospects of Eco-tourism for changing socio-economic scenario in the North East,' Mr Chamling yesterday said The North East Council should draw a clear cut policy of the region on the issues of Look East policy and proposed sub regional groupings like South Asia Growth quadrangle involving Bangladesh, India-Mynamar-Sri Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation.'' The Chief Minister said maximum resource support should be given to communication, roads and air-links.

He also called upon the delegates to create opportunitiy for the North Eastern states and promote multiplicity of participation through trade and investment to make the region a hub of economic activity.

Chairman of the North East Region Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (NERCPA), Chairman and Speaker of the Sikkim Assembly Prithibi Majhi today also called upon the North Eastern states to focus on tourism for economic development of the region.

Mr Majhi said North Eastern states should focus on tourism without disturbing the fragile socio-cultural or eco-system.

He described tourism as key to prosperity and said it generated employment. Almost 30 per cent of the problem could be solved through the promotion of tourism, he added.

The NERCPA Chairman said, ''The need to develop tourism in the region by providing communication facilities and improving the tourists destinations will attract tourists from all over the world.'' The Panchayats should take the responsibility of promoting eco-tourism by protecting the environment and creating awareness among the people.

Mr Majhi said the region had enough potential for promoting tourism and integrated efforts should be made to boost the tourism sector.

A tourism policy for the entire region should be chalked out for the development of this sector, he added.

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