Scope for Growth of Tourism in Bodoland

Baokhungri Hill: Picture by Bodo Media

"North-East India is a land of paradise for enlightening travelers' etched out in the tourism endorsement of 'INCREDIBLE INDIA' in recent times is unveiling its unexplored virgin beauty to be one of the most surfed and enquired regions of 'must visit in the tour dairies of tourists looking for newer & fresh destinations to be explored.

All states in North-East India have unique eco-friendly sites to bewitch the travelers under its spell though this isolated & mysterious region blessed with natural abundance is yet to be tapped in full by the outside world. Sikkim, however, has shown tremendous growth in the tourism industry and set a goal for other states to follow in its footsteps.

Assam, the Gateway to North-East India truly synchronizes with its meaning of 'Peerless". Indeed Assam, a land that traverses the mighty Brahmaputra is endowed with a vibrant landscape, culture, rich biodiversity, colourful handloom &handicrafts, and lush tea gardens for travelers to cherish and reckon their heavenly moments spent here.

Bodoland Territorial Council, the sixth schedule set-up within the state of Assam, with autonomy to administration over an area of 8,970sq.km. is trying to walk shoulder to shoulder in opening its door to showcase nature's hidden beautiful bounty and rich culture & heritage in its land.

Concept of the Tourism Industry no doubt is new in Bodoland and is in the nascent stage but the eagerness of its people to jump on the bandwagon of successful states in the sector to boost the industry to peak level is undaunting.

Scene of 1" Bodoland International Paragliding Accuracy Championship 2019

With the objective to achieve the target of developing the tourism industry in Bodoland. it is commendable that the Tourism Department of Bodoland is organizing the 1" Bodoland International Paragliding Accuracy Championship 2019 from 10 to 14 November 2019 at Onthai Gufur Dangdufur, Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary situated in Kokrajhardistrict. This Paragliding Competition, which is unique in the region has great scope of highlighting the tourism industry to generate revenue and thereby create a livelihood for people from Bodoland.

Baokhungri Festival held during 'Bwisagu' on the onset of spring in the month of April every year at Baukhungri Peak has garnered popularity in a domestic circle and large crowd throng to the venue every year to climb the hill. Baukhungri peak is tucked away about 12-13 Km towards the southernmost corner of Kokrajhar town and can be reached by road via Choraikhola to Harinaguri or Narabari/Dhupguri.

Another festival, the name 'Dwijing Festival' was initiated in the year 2016-17 and is now annually organized on the bank of 'River Aie' at Chirang district to promote River Tourism in Assam as well as the rural area of Bodoland during the month of December and January.

The extravaganza of Dwijing Festival aims to harness the potential of tourism in BTC by exhibiting the rich culture of diverse communities. Display of colourful dance, music, fashion shows, ethnic food, adventure activities, ethnic games, exhibitions of ethnic products is the main attraction of Dwijing Festival.

Clouded Leopard : Orphan Cup - Picture by Bodo Media

Keeping in view of the perspective of tourism potentiality in Bodoland, giving a peep into the natural beauty of Bodoland endorses immense scope of developing the industry to option level Located in the northern bank of Brahmaputra & foothills of Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh Bodoland is Nature's Paradise crisscrossed with a number of perennial rivers from Pachin the east to Sankosh in the west. The gurgling of 26 rivers through the land and forest range stretching over an area of 3,539,94 km, Bodoland can thus be developed as the destination of eco-adventure, wildlife, ethnic and cultural tourism all blend into one which could be the focal point of tourism attraction

Geographically, Bodoland is a landlocked territory in Assam between Bhutan, West Bengal, and Arunachal Pradesh. The Meghalaya state boundary is also close to BTC. The area, therefore, depicts a unique diversity in its natural endowment and strategic location. If the history is traced back, the present Bodoland housed the Dooars or the Duars, gateways to Bhutan situated in the Terai region of the Himalayas. This proximity to the Bhutanese Kingdom is another aspect of the tourism potential of the area.

Rich natural reserves, one World Heritage Site in the form of Manas National Park,Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary-the only Golden Langur Sanctuary in the World, Barnadi Wildlife Sanctuary, and diverse forest resources are the strengths of the area which make Bodoland a nature's paradise.

There are 9 Forest Divisions within BTC not to forget the beels (lakes) and wetlands which is destination of a number of migratory birds and storehouse of flora & fauna.

The beautiful Diplai Beel with an area of 455.00 Ha, about 19 Kms away from Kokrajhar is one of them. Interestingly, the historical source dating back to 18" AD gives an account that Kokrajhar, the headquarters town of Bodoland derived its name from Khungkhra'a plant known as ramie (Scientific name-Bosmeria nivea), It is said that Kokrajhar was a dense forest cover were the khungkhra plants grew abundantly and its fibre was extensively used for weaving & knitting of fish nets and making 'Serja' a stringed musical instrument of the Bodos. Today, Kokrajhar town by Gaurang River is developing its Cultural Compled.

and infrastructure to boost the tourism concept which still has miles to go to develop the tourism industry. The proximity of BTC to the North Bengal area, which is the gateway to the exotic tourist locales in Sikkim. Darjeeling. Nepal and Bhutan, further enhances the potential to develop as important tourist destination.

The Dooars in Bengal have natural and historical sites which may continue to Zumduar,Ultapani, Bansbari & Manzigendri in Manas Biosphere Reserve, the prestine Kalamati with mystic & multi-shades of salty hills & hillocks and link with Guwahati or enter Orang National Park to continue wildlife or further to the famous Kaziranga National Park or even enter Bhutan through Samdrup Dzongkhar.

There are several traditional entry points from Bhutan and a few connect Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan. Sarpang is one of the most convenient entry points to Ultapani Reserve Forest about 40.3 km from Kokrajhar town. We can say that all four districts which comprise Bodoland Territorial Council are rich in biodiversity offering a potent tourism package.

Another attraction that can draw tourists to Bodoland is its handloom and handicrafts sector which has huge potential to grow as the tribal communities are traditionally skilled in weaving motifs of a variety of designs.

It also has the scope to develop as destination of ethnic food, beverages and traditional healing for tourists who have a passion for the subjects mentioned. However, BTC area has not been able to get its due share in the tourism map, in spite of the blend of tourism experiences that it can offer.

The lack of promotional & marketing initiatives and inadequacy of infrastructure facilities are the prime factors that are holding back the growth of the Tourism industry in Bodoland which otherwise would have given a large number of employment to youths.

It is the call of the time for BTC Government to come out with feasible tourism plans and frame policies for sustainable economic growth of BTC region through the tourism industry.

Above all tourism schemes and packages of Central and state of Assam should also be implemented fully with letter and spirit in Bodoland Territorial Council.

Above all, we the public of BTC should be proud of our rich traditional heritage and resources and develop our management skills and of course, the will & determination to do whatever to protect our natural wealth.

Today, the sad story is forest wealth of Bodoland is depleting rapidly with widespread destruction of forest cover due to various factors prevailing in the region. The government in coordination with all stakeholders in society should take immediate action to resolve the issues related to deforestation and stop the menace with firm hands to preserve our rich biodiversity.

Words by Pratibha Brahma

[ Collected from 1st Bodoland International Paragliding Accuracy Championship 2019 / Sauvenir – Dangdufur]