Northeast Desk, 26th December: Manipur, celebrated for its rich history, art, culture, sports, and natural beauty, is grappling with recent challenges in its tourism sector. The Chief Minister of Manipur, Nongthombam Biren Singh, has raised concerns over a substantial downturn, reporting a decline of 10-20 per cent in the state’s tourism industry.
Addressing the media, CM Biren Singh acknowledged the impact, stating, “We cannot deny (tourism) is little affected. But particularly, in the Imphal area and other parts of the hills except two districts, normalcy is there. But (tourism) reduced to 10-20%…” The attributed cause of this decline is recent ethnic tensions and violence within the region.
Despite the setbacks, CM Biren Singh has issued an urgent plea for peace, urging the people of Manipur to engage in peaceful dialogue and abstain from violence. His call for harmony is driven by the aspiration to revive the tourism sector, crucial for the state’s economy. While acknowledging a slight impact on tourism, the Chief Minister emphasized that normalcy prevails in the Imphal area and other parts of the hills, except for two districts where the impact has been more pronounced.
The state government recognizes Manipur’s tourism potential, drawing visitors with its wildlife, festivals, unique flora and fauna, and salubrious climate. However, the recent crisis has led to a noticeable drop in tourist activity, impacting even the movement of security vehicles in the Imphal valley during the crisis period.
N. Biren Singh, serving as the Chief Minister since 2017 and the first from the Bharatiya Janata Party in Manipur, brings a diverse background as a former footballer and journalist. Actively addressing the state’s issues, he remains determined to restore stability and boost tourism.
As of December 26th, 2023, the state government continues its efforts to resolve the ethnic crisis and restore confidence among tourists to visit the beautiful state of Manipur.
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