Aizawl: Visiting UN Mission Technical experts said today that Mizoram has a big potential in Eco-Tourism and Adventure Tourism.
The UN Team continues to visit different parts of Mizoram while carrying out ground study work for the proposed joint UN Mission to bring about progress and development to Mizoram in varied fields.
The UN Team today visited Zohanco Emporium at Chaltlang, Factory and Showroom of Hnamchhantu Pawl at Upper Republic Veng and Squash garden at Sihphir. Besides, they also held interaction with placement officials of Mizoram University at State Guest House. The UN Team members divided themselves into 3 groups to visit different places. Sandeep Tandon and Manjula Bhuyan, both from UNIDO, visited the work sites of ZohanCo and Hnamchhantu Pawl and studied their initiatives and their problems as well.
Sanjeev Kumar Gupta and Kalpana Tawakley, who are from UNDP, on the other visited squash gardens of Sihphir. The farmers acquainted them of their system of marketing their produce and of their several initiatives and problems.
Meanwhile, Antonio Palewal, from FAO, held interaction with Placement officials of Mizoram University at State Guest House, whereat they discussed over ways of joint venture between Mizoram University and UNO.
The UN Mission Technical Team members, namely, Sandeep Tandon (UNIDO), Ms Manjula Bhyan (UNIDO), Ms Antonia Paliwal (FAO), Ms Kalpana Tawakley (UNDP), and Sanjeev Kumar Gupta (UNDP) had also yesterday visited Fodder Farm at Thenzawl run by AH & Vety Department.
The UN Mission Technical Team, after they visited the Fodder Farm in a wide 690 acre area along roadside, spoke of their wishes to the department officials that the location of the farm be shifted to other place, given that the present area, which is a good one, could be utilized for tourist attraction and for other purposeful things.
They also suggested that a proper record of the production of fodder and its profit per square metre be maintained. They also stressed that any new step may be taken after proper study and even the would-be workers may be given proper training.
Members of the UN Mission Team also visited Handloom owners and weavers at Thenzawl. The weavers apprised them of their several problems including their problem in procurement of raw materials, especially in procuring the colour they like.
On learning that their finished products are marketed to different parts of India and even abroad, the UN team members felt much encouraged, and expressed their will to help think for their progress, and also spoke of their plan to approach the government authority on their several needs.
Meanwhile, due to inclement weather, the UN Mission Technical Team could not visit PIGFED at Thenzawl and YMA Reserved Forest at Sailam village. Instead, they visited Tourist Resort at Hmuifang Tlang. The UN Team expressed their joy to see the vast expanse of green forest owned by Mizoram, adding their perception that Mizoram has a bright future in Eco-Tourism and Adventure Tourism. It is necessary to take step in this regard, they said.
The UN Mission technical Team also on Saturday visited Lunglei District where they met with government officials besides NGOs and Society leaders.
Explaining the main purpose of their visit, the UN Team Leader Sandeep Tandon (UNIDO) said that UNO is planning to carry out development mission in 3 Indian States, which included Mizoram, and that they will begin their work in Mizoram. They are now coming for ground study before starting the mission, he said.
Tandon further said that as the needs of the states are all different, they are to chalk out plans which shall help the Mizo people to develop and progress.
Besides, Sandeep Tandon, Manjula Bhuyan (UNIDO), Antonia Paliwal (FAO), Kalpana Tawakley (UNDP) and Sanjeev Kumar Gupta (UNDP) also spoke and said that they shall look widely into various fields considering the climate of Mizoram, its natural resources, bamboo and forest, electricity, handicraft, tourism societal administration.
Saying that they will also study the practice of shifting cultivation by the Mizo people while considering climatic change, the UN Team said that the main objective of UN Programme is ”food, livelihood, environmental security”.