Menon for collective plan for tourism development

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon on Friday called for formulation of a collective plan by Himalayan basin based countries for development of tourism to expedite the trade and economic development of the region. 

"A collective plan will have to be taken based on the Himalayan basin based rivers for tourism development as these rivers have interlinked life, history, heritage and culture of the people of this region," he told a festival in Shillong, India.

The tourism minister presented a keynote paper at the opening session of two-day 'Asian Confluence River Festival' organised by local think tank Asian Confluence, said a release.

Memon said rail, road, river and air connectivity and people to people contact are important for expansion of regional cooperation and development among India's North-Eastern region and neighbouring Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar. Culture, education, health and regional tourism could the basis on communication among these countries, he added. 

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali also spoke on the occasion. 

Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Chief Minister of Mizoram Lal Thanhawla addressed the opening session. 

Around 300 representatives from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar are participating in the conference.

Source: BSS