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Army's Eco-Tourism Tour Empowers Arunachal Students for Border Development

The Indian Army has organized an eco-tourism exposure tour for 30 college students from Arunachal Pradesh's West Siang district to West Bengal. The 11-day educational program, under Operation Sadbhavna, focuses on sustainable tourism practices in fragile mountain ecosystems like Darjeeling and Kalimpong. Participants are visiting key heritage sites and interacting with tourism officials and homestay owners to learn about community-led hospitality and conservation. The initiative aims to equip students with practical skills to replicate sustainable models back home, promoting local livelihoods in remote border areas.

Key Points: Army Eco-Tourism Tour for Arunachal Students in Border Areas

  • Skill development for border youth
  • Sustainable eco-tourism models
  • 11-day West Bengal exposure tour
  • Part of Operation Sadbhavna
  • Focus on conservation & livelihoods
2 min read

Arunachal: Army organises eco-tourism exposure tour for students to border areas

Indian Army's Operation Sadbhavna skill tour takes 30 Arunachal students to Darjeeling & Kalimpong for sustainable eco-tourism training.

"empowering local youth, encouraging self-reliance, and promoting sustainable livelihoods - Defence Officials"

Itanagar, Jan 11

To promote practical learning in the eco-tourism sector and develop livelihood-oriented skills among college students from Arunachal Pradesh's border areas, the Army has organised an exposure tour to West Bengal, which is currently underway, officials said on Sunday.

Defence spokesman Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said that under the aegis of local military authorities, a skill development eco-tourism exposure tour is being conducted as part of 'Operation Sadbhavna' to enhance practical learning and livelihood-oriented skills among youths and students of Arunachal Pradesh.

A team comprising 30 students of NEFTU College at Aalo in West Siang district, along with two faculty members, was flagged off from Aalo on January 5 for an educational exposure programme to the hill destinations of Darjeeling and Kalimpong in West Bengal.

According to Lt Col Rawat, during the Darjeeling leg, the participants gained first-hand insights into the planning and execution of sustainable eco-tourism in a fragile mountain ecosystem.

The 11-day itinerary included visits to key heritage and eco-tourism sites such as Batasia Loop War Memorial, Ghoom Monastery, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Tiger Hill, and the Happy Valley Tea Estate to understand tea tourism.

The team also interacted with district tourism officials, tea-estate stakeholders and local homestay owners, focusing on community-led hospitality, environmental conservation, responsible waste management and cleanliness practices.

The Darjeeling segment has concluded, and the team has now proceeded to Kalimpong for the next part of the tour. The initiative aims to empower participants to replicate sustainable eco-tourism models in their home region, promoting both conservation and local livelihoods.

The defence spokesman said that the participants will gain first-hand exposure to homestay management, tour guiding, trek leading, visitor interaction, and eco-tourism operations, enabling them to understand best practices that can be adapted to local conditions in West Siang district.

According to the officials, the initiative reflects the Indian Army's continued commitment to nation-building beyond its core security role by empowering local youth, encouraging self-reliance, and promoting sustainable livelihoods in remote and border areas.

By investing in education, skill development and exposure, the Indian Army continues to strengthen civil-military bonds and support the socio-economic progress of Arunachal Pradesh, ensuring that development and opportunity reach even the most remote corners of the region.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
More power to our armed forces! They are not just guarding our borders but also building the future of our youth. This kind of skill development is exactly what remote areas need. Hope the students bring back great ideas for eco-tourism in the Northeast.
A
Aditya G
A very positive step. However, I hope this is not just a one-off tour. Sustained mentorship and funding are needed for these students to actually start ventures back home. The Army and state govt should create a proper follow-up mechanism.
M
Meera T
Arunachal has breathtaking beauty and huge potential for tourism. Teaching the youth how to manage it sustainably is key. Learning from Darjeeling's experience, both good and bad, will help them avoid mistakes. All the best to the team! 🙏
S
Sarah B
This is heartwarming to read. Building bridges through education and exposure. The focus on community-led hospitality and conservation is so important. Kudos to the Indian Army for this holistic approach to development in border regions.
K
Karthik V
Great move! When our youth in border areas are empowered with skills and opportunities, it strengthens national integration and security in a very organic way. This is true nation-building. More such tours for students from all border states please!

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