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H Khehovi Yepthomi with Tourism department officials and students during World Tourism Day celebration in the conference hall of Tourist Lodge in Dimapur on September 27. (EM Images)[/caption]
Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Sep. 27: Advisor for Tourism, Art and Culture, H Khehovi Yepthomi on Friday lamented that the people of Nagaland have failed to appreciate and protect the rich nature of the state and urged the public to preserve the environment.
Yepthomi was speaking at the World Tourism Day organised by the department of Tourism on the theme “Tourism and Jobs: a better future for all” in the Conference Hall of Tourist Lodge in Dimapur on September 27.
“Nagaland has been bestowed with the richness of greenery, flora, fauna, culture and heritage but we have cared less for the environment and Mother Nature. We may be late in our reaction to protect our environment but it is never too late to try and to make the world a better place for the future generations to come,” said Yepthomi. He suggested following traditional path of respecting and protecting the environment; taking only what is required and not destroying the ecosystem to restore the state’s rich biodiversity.
He asserted that tourism growth has given employment opportunities to many people.
“We want to empower people to sustain themselves economically to put an end to the dependence on the sole bread-earners in a family. We aim to make tourism as a crucial sector for employment, education and skills creation to boost economic development” said Yepthomi.
He pointed out that the aim and vision of the government is to create a holistic approach to the future of work in tourism by connecting various sectors that are important for economic development. He also disclosed that tourism accounts for about 10% of the world jobs and “it is time we realise the potential of tourism for decent job creation which is the need of the hour in Nagaland.”
The department of Tourism also organised an essay competition on the theme of the occasion for class 12 students of Dimapur (urban). A total of 19 students from 14 schools participated in the competition.
Mothanmo Odyuo of MGM Higher Secondary School won the essay competition, while Vitoka k Chishi of Eden High Secondary School and Supongrepba Ao of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School won second and third prizes respectively.
Earlier before the formal programme began, Yepthomi inaugurated tourism information and ticketing kiosk.
