Itanagar: In a significant initiative, the tourism department of Arunachal Pradesh has trained 41 youths from tribal communities to serve as tourist guides for culture-oriented travelers.
This marks the first time in India that such guides have been trained from within the community, ensuring a deep connection to local cultures and traditions.
The three-day training programme, held at the Noa Dihing Hall of Namdapha Jungle Camp in Miao, aimed to equip participants with the skills needed to be professional culture guides.
The programme, which commenced on International Women’s Day, was inaugurated by Dr. Madhura Dutta, an International Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) expert, along with other dignitaries.
Resource persons, including Dr Moromi Talukdar and Raj Basu, provided insights into anthropology and rural tourism, respectively. The trainees were also exposed to field visits, such as to New Yumchum, a model village for Rural Tourism & Heritage Tea, where village elders shared their knowledge.
This initiative follows a similar one in the Subansiri region at Ziro and reflects a broader strategy to empower local communities to protect and promote their cultures.
The trainees will further their learning with a study tour to the Subansiri region, covering Chullyu and the heritage site of Ziro.
The initiative, led by tourism deputy director Bengia Manna Sonam, is set to continue with fellowship programs and exposure to the tourism industry, ensuring these cultural guides become not just guides but also custodians of their heritage.
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