Reported by Sandeep Sharma
Guwahati: Arunachal Pradesh Cultural Affairs Minister Dasanglu Pul on Thursday said women-led rural tourism has the potential to emerge as a strong force for cultural exchange, sustainable development, and regional cooperation across the Himalayan Buddhist region.
Speaking at a regional workshop on “Development of the Buddhist Circuit in Northeast India” held in Tawang, Pul said the initiative to connect Buddhist destinations in Northeast India with neighbouring countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka through community-based tourism could open new opportunities for the region.
The workshop brought together delegates from Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Assam, and Sikkim, with discussions focused on regional cooperation and sustainable tourism linked to shared Buddhist heritage.
Highlighting Arunachal Pradesh’s tourism potential, Pul said the state, popularly known as the “Land of the Rising Sun,” is home to several important spiritual destinations, including Tawang, Mechukha, and the Golden Pagoda in Namsai.
She said women in rural and tribal communities have long been custodians of oral traditions, handicrafts, indigenous cuisine, festivals, and rituals, and their active involvement in tourism initiatives would help preserve cultural heritage while also generating livelihood opportunities.
Pul added that the state government is working to support women through skill development programmes, micro-financing, infrastructure support, and the digital promotion of local tourism experiences.
She also stressed the need to strengthen tourism and cultural ties with neighbouring Buddhist countries to boost international tourism and deepen people-to-people connections.
The workshop included technical sessions on regional cooperation, connectivity, branding, and women-led rural tourism, besides discussions on identifying key Buddhist heritage sites across the Northeast.