Pasighat, Apr 4: Pasighat East MLA Tapi Darang on Friday flagged off an exposure tour to Kaziranga National Park in Assam for thirty gaon buras and gaon buris (GBs) from Bosing and Bogong group of villages.
The three-day tour, sponsored by the MLA, aims to provide insights into wildlife conservation, rural and eco-tourism, safari experience, and community-based conservation practices in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Addressing the participants, Darang urged the GBs to play a pivotal role in protecting wildlife and preserving nature and called for their active involvement in the Air Gun Surrender campaign to curb rampant hunting and protect biodiversity. He expressed optimism that the awareness-cum-exposure tour would create a positive ripple effect in the community.
Senior citizen Gagam Ering lauded the initiative, terming it a significant step towards sensitising the local population on eco-tourism and conservation.
DFO (Wildlife) Kenpi Ete, while welcoming the initiative, said that Kaziranga’s successful community-driven conservation models could inspire similar efforts in Arunachal Pradesh. He emphasised the importance of replicating best practices to raise awareness and strengthen grassroots participation.
District Tourism Officer Leena Perme underlined the economic benefits of wildlife tourism at Kaziranga, citing increased footfall of domestic and foreign tourists that support local livelihoods through homestays and allied services. She urged the GBs to share their learnings with local communities to encourage sustainable tourism practices.
The tour will be led by Gandhi Darang, a nature guide and conservation enthusiast, from April 4 to 6.
