Situated near the Nao-Dihing River, the Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh is one of the most beautiful regions of Northeast India. It is an entry point to the eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh. Connected by four districts of the state, Namsai has tremendous scope for tourism. Under its District Magistrate, Mr. R.K. Sharma, Namsai is being developed and aggressively marketed as a major tourist destination of the Northeast. In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, DM R.K.Sharma talked about the various tourism development steps being implemented in the area.
GOLDEN PAGODA
Known as ‘Kongmu Kham’ in the local Tai-Khamti language, the Golden Pagoda Monastery at Tengapani in Namsai district is a major tourist destination. It is also one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in Northeast India.
“Namsai, as a whole, is the land of Pagodas. We have them all over the area in Thai and Myanmar styles as majority of the people here are Buddhists. For Buddhist people, these Pagodas have always been centers of attraction,” Mr. Sharma told Indian Masterminds.
PARSHURAM KUND
About 70 kilometers ahead of Golden Pagoda is Parshuram Kund, a pilgrimage site for Hindus. Lakhs of people visit Parshuram Kund every year, especially during the festival of Makar Sankranti.
“Otherwise also, the place is always swarming with people. Therefore, the Government of India has sanctioned a scheme for the development of the Kund, amounting to Rs. 37 crores. The development work has already begun and is going on in full swing,” informed the officer.
INTEGRATED DRINKING WATER SYSTEM
To enhance tourist attraction in the place further, recently, a new water supply system was constructed in the district, which has been made into an integrated drinking water supply project.
“One part is for drinking water supply, but the other part is completely for tourist attraction. It has parks, amphitheater, cafeteria, river front, and other such things that will attract the attention of tourists,” the officer said.
HOME STAY FACILITIES
Because of the arrival of tourist by the dozens, new entrepreneurs have come up in the district in recent times and have started offering home stay facilities to the visitors. This idea is working successfully as people get to enjoy comfortable stay with a view.
“This way, tourism is getting enhanced in the district, it is growing rapidly and will soon become the main source of economy of the people of the region,” stated Mr. Sharma.
FOREST TREKKING
Owing to the large forest cover in the district, the administration has decided to start the concept of trekking through the forests to allow tourists to get more closer to nature.
“There is a place near Parshuram Kund called Glow Lake which will also be developed further. The proposal of road construction there has been approved by the government. The tourists can trek for 8-9 kilometers to reach the place and enjoy beautiful views from there,” he told Indian Masterminds.
With so many steps being undertaken to lure more tourists to the area, the Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh will soon become a must-visit destination for tourists wanting to explore the nature-enriched Northeast India.
