More than a half years old crisis in Manipur badly affected the tourism sector of state, leaving many people who rely on this sector in helpless condition.
State government has taken up various steps to promote tourism in the state thinking that it would be potential sector in job creation. Amongst many measures, organising an extravaganza event like Femina Miss India, Durand Cup, Manipur Sangai Festival to name a few has help to increase flow of tourist in state. However, the unrest had derailed the momentum of tourism sector which once started grabbing its avenue before the onset of the conflict.
The tales shared from people settling near Loktak Lake, one of the famous tourist destinations of Manipur, could be the best testament that how tourism sector is in grinding halt with onset of crisis.
Oinam Satyabati, a local fish seller from Karang, an island in Loktak Lake, whose tales echoed the sentiments of many who depend on tourist.
She said that, “Before this crisis, lot of tourists flocked to our island that I can earn good income. I usually sell all the stock of fish that I dried every day and return back home with empty basket. But now the situation has been completely changed that sometime I have lost my confident that whether I can survive or not.”
She said that the present conflict has brought an unforeseen lull in her business. No tourist either local or domestic or foreign were dare to venture out at Loktak Lake.
Recollecting her once-thriving business, she elucidated, “My primary source of income is to sell dry fish. What all I do to run by business effectively were to catch the fish, dry it, and then, at our convenience, we’d set up our stalls. The crisis completely gives a big blow in my business. Nevertheless, I am still following these activities which I do before the crisis with hope to earn at least handful amount of money and cmake ends meet.”
Stating about difference in generation of income, she said that during earlier time, a profit of Rs 700 was easily attainable. But today, reaching even Rs 300 seems like an uphill battle. The selling prices have been slashed and cutting to margins.
Satyabati’s eyes, brimming with emotions expressed her anguished that the island used to buzz with the chatter of tourists. Their presence usually gives them a ray of hope especially during the holiday seasons. Whatever they catch always bought by eager buyers mostly tourist aas if that they don’t need to worry about unsold stocks. But now, their baskets remain full with unsold fish.
The ripple effect of conflict touched every corner who rely on tourist as their source of income generation. This journalist came across another distressing statement from a boat owner from Thanga Karang whose socio-economic condition was hugely impacted by this conflict.
In Thanga and Karang which is surrounded by serene waters, Boyai’s boat is one of the 19 motorized vessels responsible for ferrying passengers to and fro.
“Before the conflict began, we had a hectic schedule in shipping tourist and our local people,”Boyai reminisced and continued with a sombre tone and he revealed how the crisis has leave them in tough situation where survival has been a big challenging task.
He said that nowadays their boats mostly carry Karang natives who rely on them for their basic commuting needs. The once-abundant tourists, who would come to enjoy the scenic beauty of Loktak Lake have been visibly reduce for over six months.
“Navigating these waters was once a source of livelihood and pride for us. Due to absence of tourist despite the fact that Loktak Lake is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Manipur, our boat remains empty. If we continue cto survive in this flow, we may reach to a starving condition,” he expressed with heavy heart.
In an interaction with director of Manipur Tourism Department, W Ibohal said that the onslaught of present crisis hugely impacted tourism sector of Manipur. Nevertheless, the tourist footfall in the state doesn’t reduce to zero even during the peak of conflict.
Considering tourism as one of the potential sectors of the state, various initiative has been taken up to promote this sector, he added and continued that before the onset of present violence number of tourist has increase to manifold.
“We feel that tourism could be main stay of state observing serene beauty of state, hospitality, rich culture and tradition. With this thought, state government had organised various programme to attract tourist in the state. By virtue of organising some events like Manipur Sangai Festival, Durand Cup, Femina Miss India, the number of tourists increase drastically in 2022 to 2023 comparing to previous years,” he informed.
Ibohal sharing the number of tourists came to Imphal in 2022-2023, he said that total number of domestic tourists visited in Manipur was 1,55,945 which is an increase of 371.5 per cent from previous year. While foreign tourist footfall is 5483 which is significant jump of 2369.82 per cent than previous year.
He recounted that how state got ample number of tourist and helps in improving economic condition of state and expressed his hope that such good days return back soon.
“Promotion of tourism sectors gives big avenue to host destinations by creating job directly or indirectly. With the increase of tourist in Manipur, people started realising the significance or advantage of tourism in boosting state economy. State government is also putting all effort at administrative level so that it can revive soon without taking much time once the normalcy return,” he expressed.
He informed that though the state was hit hard by conflict, fortunately the number of tourist footfall didn’t go down to zero. This year number of domestic tourist came to state in January was 11,954 and foreign tourist was 587; domestic tourist and foreign tourist visited in February was 10,123 and 770 respectively; March was 11, 783 and 696; April was 9,738 and 497 respectively; May was 2960 and 183; June was 831 and 88 and July was 1333 and 94.
Ibohal said that that state government is putting effort to improve the infrastructure of tourist spot by completing most of ongoing project during this crisis. Above this, they are planning to conduct a grand convention where tour operators’ association of India and people from other states working in tourism sectors will be invited once law and order improves. These are the people who will play big role in disseminating information about our state to tourist.
The writer is an award winning reporter
