A Consultative Workshop cum Awareness Programme on Eco-tourism was recently conducted at Keikao (Namkaolong) village in Tamenglong district, Manipur, under the initiative of the Tamenglong Forest Division, Government of Manipur. The initiative is part of a series of people-centric, income-generating projects being spearheaded under the guidance of Shri Anurag Bajpai, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF), and Additional Chief Secretary, Commerce and Industries, TA & Hills.

The workshop focused on promoting eco-tourism activities centered around the Arai Bat Cave and its adjacent natural swimming pool. Kadirei Kamei, Chairman of Keikao (Namkaolong), presided over the programme. Key forest officials, including Kh. Hitler Singh (DFO, Tamenglong), Joel Gangmei (RFO, Tamenglong), and A. Promeshwor Singh (RFO, Tousem), served as resource persons for the event. Around forty members of the village authority participated in the programme.

As part of the initiative, the Forest Department has committed to supporting the local community in developing eco-tourism infrastructure around these natural sites, aiming to generate livelihood opportunities while preserving the environment.

Following the workshop, the team also visited the Khoupanglang Cave, located near the Deputy Commissioner’s Office at Tamenglong Headquarters. Guided by RK Lungsangai, the team explored the cave, which has been identified as another promising site for eco-tourism development.

Additionally, another workshop focusing on Carbon Financing Projects was held at Azuram village. The event was chaired by Meitholin Riamei, Chairman of Azuram village. The village, which maintains a Community Reserve covering 5.81 sq km, plays a vital role in carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), in collaboration with the Forest Department, will implement carbon financing projects in the region to further enhance environmental conservation and sustainable development.

These initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to empowering local communities through sustainable tourism and climate action.