A Call for Local Ownership in Sustainable Growth

HOIHNU HAUZEL

The recently-concluded 12th edition of the International Tourism Mart (ITM) in Kaziranga, Assam, was a clear statement of Northeast India’s tourism assurance. With participation from approximately 23 international buyers, 46 domestic buyers, and influencers from around the globe, the event brought home the region’s promise as a tourist destination. The spotlight on Northeast India’s rich cultural heritage and biodiversity was not accidental. Indeed, it has been a part of a concerted effort by the Ministry of Tourism to position the region as a must-visit destination.

However, the region’s tourism growth cannot remain solely reliant on central government initiatives. While the Ministry has been instrumental in promoting Northeast India, the future of tourism here depends on a shift in responsibility—from receiving support to actively driving local growth. While the government has definitely laid the groundwork to a great extent, in many ways, it is now up to the people of the region to take ownership. It is for them to ensure the region evolves sustainably and with accountability if it has to be on the right track.

The ITM event highlighted the region’s incredible offerings, sites like the Moidams of Charaideo, the newest and 43^rd UNESCO World Heritage site of India was shown to visiting delegates and media. The very venue (Kaziranga) was thoughtfully chosen to mark the 50^th year of Kaziranga National Park. And, as Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the Minister of Tourism for India, remarked, the region’s appeal is not enough to guarantee long-term success. The next step is to move beyond external support and empower local leaders, businesses, and communities to drive tourism development in a way that respects the environment and enhances the local economy.

Indeed, it is now up to the people of Northeast India to take the torch and push it further. For example, the region has a wealth of natural resources and cultural assets, but it lacks significant infrastructure development in key areas. Why, for instance, are roads within the state still in such a deplorable state? The journey from Kohima to Dimapur in Nagaland, as often pointed out by tourists returning year after year from the state, is a painful reminder of the region’s infrastructure shortcomings, even as the state just celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Hornbill Festival. Even as the 42-km road between Dimapur and Kohima is being upgraded to a four-lane and construction is underway, some sections are still challenging.
These roads are anyway important lifelines for locals and tourists alike and remain unforgiving, reducing the region’s appeal as a convenient destination for travel and trade.

Or consider the drive along major routes, like the road from Kaziranga to Guwahati Airport, where it’s often difficult to find a clean pitstop that is spotless. Despite the region’s focus on tourism, there are no adequate basic rest stops or traveller-friendly services along many crucial routes. This infrastructure gap is not just an inconvenience; it is a missed opportunity.

With tourism booming, travellers should be able to explore the region without battling with poor roads. More importantly, the region should not just wait for the central government to step in; it must take charge of upgrading its roads and infrastructure for which ample funds have made inroads to every state. These are investments that states are making for their people, aimed at making the tourism experience smoother, safer, and more welcoming.

It is high time that local governments invest in their own backyard and collaborate with entrepreneurs and communities to build the necessary infrastructure. It’s time to move beyond complaints and take action to create a truly sustainable, self-sufficient tourism model.

Needless to say, the recent ITM event also showed that Northeast India is far more than just a hidden gem; it is a prime tourism destination in the making. The region is home to a number of stunning national parks, not just the famous Kaziranga National Park. In fact, Manas National Park is quickly becoming a popular destination for visitors. A quick search on Google will reveal that there are 28 national parks in the Northeast, each offering unique natural beauty and wildlife experiences. But the challenge now is to turn this attention into a well-oiled machine of local development and self-sustenance. And it is in that, that it needs a very well-thought through policies that will carry the people, and the fragile ecology along in that drafting of a decision. True that the government can only do so much, and the people of Northeast India must take ownership of their future. The momentum is there, but the next phase requires real accountability and effort at the grassroots level.

At the same time, it is important to recognize that tourism cannot just be about attracting visitors; it must also be about developing a responsible and sustainable model. It must do away with excessive tourism. The region’s cultural and environmental resources need to be preserved, with tourism development aligning closely with the local ecology. This requires that all funds allocated for development be spent thoughtfully and conscientiously. It is about time to ensure that growth does not undermine the very qualities that make the region special. Beneath that veil of mystery lies a charm and many other qualities that make the Northeast unique, magical, and highly sought-after. It is up to the people to strike the right balance, understanding what is important and what is necessary.

The ITM event has provided a valuable platform for highlighting the region’s tourism prospective. Local stakeholders must build upon the momentum generated by these global engagements, leveraging their unique culture, biodiversity, and heritage to create a more sustainable tourism ecosystem.

The question now is whether Northeast India will continue to depend on central initiatives or rise to the challenge of becoming a self-sustaining tourism destination. The region must not wait for outside intervention but actively work to develop its own infrastructure, create more local opportunities, and ensure that tourism growth benefits everyone. This requires a shift in mindset, a clear move from dependency to ownership and accountability.

Northeast India’s tourism strength is real, but its future lies in the hands of those who live and work in the region. It’s time for local leadership to take responsibility and create an environment where tourism thrives not just as an industry, but as a force for sustainable growth. The region has the resources, the beauty, and the culture to become a tourism powerhouse — now it must take the steps needed to turn that potential into a reality.

The region faces a choice: rely on central initiatives or take charge in shaping a future where Northeast India becomes a tourism powerhouse. A future where tourism is sustainable, benefiting both communities and ecology, with no room for excess.

 It’s time for action. The world is watching.

(The author, Hoihnu Hauzel is an independent journalist, co-founder www.northeastodyssey and founder, www.thenestories.com. This piece was first published in EThospitalityworld.com. https://hospitality.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/speaking-heads/a-call-for-local-ownership-in-sustainable-growth/116131618)