The Assam Tourism Department's current trajectory reflects a paradox: a state rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage that has yet to fully harness its tourism potential
The Assam Tourism Department's apparent oversight in harnessing the potential of the Garbhanga Reserve Forest stands in stark contrast to the state's burgeoning tourism figures. Despite Assam attracting over 2.43 crore tourists and 60,306 foreign visitors in the past four years, the scenic Garbhanga Reserve Forest remains conspicuously absent from the state's tourism initiatives.
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Nestled on the outskirts of Guwahati, the Garbhanga Reserve Forest is a verdant expanse renowned for its rich biodiversity, cascading waterfalls, and challenging trekking trails. Historically, it has been a haven for trekking, hiking, and camping enthusiasts. However, recent infrastructural developments, particularly road restorations, have inadvertently curtailed these activities, leading to a decline in adventure tourism within the forest.
In a recent interaction with GPlus, an official from the Directorate of Tourism admitted, "As of now, there is no scheme proposed for Garbhanga." This statement underscores a glaring oversight, especially when neighboring regions like Meghalaya have successfully integrated similar natural reserves into their tourism portfolios, balancing ecological preservation with economic gain.
Meghalaya's approach to eco-tourism offers valuable insights. The state has adeptly promoted its natural reserves, ensuring that tourism infrastructures, such as accommodations and amenities, comply with environmental norms. Strict regulations against permanent structures within forested areas and stringent waste disposal protocols have been enforced, ensuring minimal ecological disruption while maximising tourism revenue.
Assam's tourism sector has witnessed remarkable growth. In the 2022-23 fiscal year alone, the state recorded an influx of over 98 lakh tourists, including 18,946 foreign nationals. This upward trajectory continued into 2023-24, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announcing that the state welcomed over 1 crore visitors.
Despite these impressive figures, the tourism department's revenue collection appears disproportionately low. In 2022-23, the department garnered approximately Rs. 2.64 crore, a modest increase from the Rs. 1.69 crore collected in the previous fiscal year. This disparity suggests that while tourist footfall has surged, the state's mechanisms to capitalise on this influx remain underdeveloped.
Guwahati, Assam's largest city, often serves merely as a transit point for tourists en route to other destinations. Beyond the famed Kamakhya Temple and a handful of religious sites, the city's tourism potential remains largely untapped. The underutilisation of natural assets like the Garbhanga Reserve Forest exemplifies this oversight.
The Deepor Beel, Assam's sole Ramsar site, exemplifies the state's underutilised tourism assets. Despite its ecological significance and potential as a tourist attraction, development plans have stagnated. The state government allocated Rs.12 crore for its development, including proposals for an observation tower, cafeteria, information center, and other amenities. However, bureaucratic hurdles, notably the lack of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the forest department, have stalled progress.
Relying predominantly on established attractions like the Kaziranga National Park and the Kamakhya Temple limits Assam's tourism potential. Diversifying the tourism portfolio to include destinations like Garbhanga can distribute economic benefits more evenly across the state, promote local employment, and reduce pressure on over visited sites.
The sluggishness in developing Garbhanga for tourism is not an isolated instance. Assam has repeatedly failed to leverage its natural and cultural resources effectively. From the unexplored riverine islands of the Brahmaputra to the unexplored waterfalls and hills in Dima Hasao, the state boasts a variety of landscapes that remain overlooked by tourism planners.
One of the primary reasons for this stagnation is the lack of interdepartmental coordination. The tourism department often finds itself at odds with the forest department, as seen in the Deepor Beel case. Similarly, the failure to capitalise on the state's vast tea tourism potential highlights how poor policy implementation hampers growth.
Moreover, the tourism department’s failure extends to its inadequate infrastructure planning. Visitors to places like Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary or Manas National Park often complain about poor roads and the lack of basic amenities. This lack of infrastructure discourages repeat visits and undermines Assam’s reputation as a travel-friendly state. The department's reluctance to involve private stakeholders and eco-tourism entrepreneurs further limits its potential. Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh have successfully implemented public-private partnerships (PPP) in tourism, but Assam continues to rely on outdated models with sluggish government-led initiatives.
The issue is compounded by the absence of effective branding and promotion. Unlike Sikkim, which aggressively markets itself as an eco-tourism destination, Assam’s campaigns remain sporadic and ineffective. The state government launches tourism festivals but fails to maintain a consistent narrative that could position Assam as a must-visit destination. Even Kaziranga, the state’s flagship wildlife attraction, suffers from limited digital marketing, leaving it far behind competitors like Ranthambore and Jim Corbett.
Integrating Garbhanga into Assam's tourism circuit necessitates a commitment to environmental sustainability. Drawing lessons from Meghalaya, Assam can implement eco-friendly infrastructures, enforce strict waste management protocols, and ensure that tourism development aligns with conservation principles.
The Assam Tourism Department's current trajectory reflects a paradox: a state rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage that has yet to fully harness its tourism potential. By acknowledging and addressing these oversights, particularly concerning the Garbhanga Reserve Forest, Assam can redefine its tourism landscape, ensuring both economic growth and ecological preservation.
