247 tourism projects for NE

Imphal, May 17 (UNI) About 247 projects were taken up by the Union Tourism Ministry during the past five years for the country whereas about 17 such projects were taken up in Manipur, Manipur Information Centre Jt Director K Meghachandra said.

During the tenth plan, other north eastern states also got their share with Arunachal Pradesh getting Rs 6087.85 lakhs for 33 projects, Asom, Rs 6635.61 lakhs for 41 projects, Meghalaya, Rs 2668.69 lakhs for 20 projects, Mizoram, Rs 6038.02 lakhs for 30 projects, Nagaland, Rs 7441.48 lakhs for 36 projects, Sikkim, Rs 7496.31 lakhs for 49 projects and Tripura, Rs 1702.48 lakhs for 21 projects.

The Ministry sanctioned a sum of Rs 1162.43 lakhs for taking up 17 tourism projects in Manipur during the plan period. Mr Meghachandra further said Union Minister of Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni had informed that her department sanctioned 1160 project proposals of the state governments and Union Territories amounting to Rs 201167.50 lakhs during the Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-2007) for development of tourism in states and Union Territories.

During 2006-07, the Ministry sanctioned nine projects namely, celebrations of Lui-ngai-ni festival, Kut festival, Manipur Tourism festival, Manipur Tourism Meet, Establishment of Rural Tourism at Khongjom in Thoubal District, Noney in Tamenglong district, Andro in Imphal East district, Development of Tourist Destination at Imphal under Integrated Destination Development Scheme and Development of Eco-Tourism Park at Nongmaijing in Imphal East district amounting to a sum of Rs 939.35 lakhs.

UNI