DARAK : A one-day public and stakeholders’ consultative meeting on the theme, “Tourism in Darak: Prospects, Challenges, Initiatives So Far and Way Forward,” was organised by the Darak Tourism and Social Welfare Foundation (DTSWF) at the Community Hall here on May 30.
The meeting aimed to gather public feedback, facilitate policy discussions and highlight the NGO’s initiatives for promoting sustainable tourism, environmental conservation and socio-economic development in Darak under West Siang district.
Welcoming the participants, DTSWF Managing Director Jummo Potom outlined the organisation’s activities and emphasised the long-term importance of tourism promotion, nature conservation, wildlife protection and community development.
The participants deliberated on a range of issues relating to sustainable tourism and environmental management and assured their full support to the initiatives undertaken by DTSWF. Key areas discussed included nature and wildlife conservation, responsible tourism and hospitality practices, research and documentation of local flora and fauna, beautification drives, promotion of homestays and farm stays, fish conservation, eco-tourism activities and the adoption of the Community Conservation Area (CCA) concept.
The meeting also discussed proposals for establishing an Orchid Sanctuary-cum-Botanical Garden, introducing a ‘Green School’ concept at Government Secondary School Darak, improving Google mapping and GPS-based identification of tourism sites, and aligning local development initiatives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The programme witnessed active participation from homestay operators, members of Darak Mahila Samiti, Farmers’ Club, self-help groups (SHGs), students, youth, Panchayati Raj Institution leaders, Gaon Burahs, government officials, market committee members, retired government employees and other stakeholders.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by DTSWF Associate Director Poknanda Raksap.
Marking the occasion, Potom planted a Foxtail Orchid (Rhynchostylis retusa), the State Flower of Arunachal Pradesh, in Darak township as a symbolic step towards promoting environmental awareness, biodiversity conservation and nature-based tourism.
The initiative forms part of a pilot project being implemented by the Darak Biodiversity Club (DBC), a subsidiary organisation of DTSWF, with active community participation.
As part of its beautification campaign, DTSWF also distributed Cosmos flower seeds to various colonies of Darak township and nearby villages and launched a community cleanliness drive.
