Rural tourism as the river of regional development. A case of north eastern states, India

This paper attempts to explore the potentials of the north eastern states which could trigger regional development especially to the over all benefit of the indigenous people. The age old traditions of the tribes alleged to be hampering the development could be preserved and and utilized instead by opening up their inherent potentials keeping their rights to natural and other resources intact in the region. State's institutions, Urban Local Bodies, Civil society, local communities and NGOs shall have to be mopped up to bring them together to enhance tour culture in the region.

The North-Eastern states’ diverse cultures with bountiful nature has huge potentials for tourism. The development in an integrated and comprehensive manner, shall enhance the, capacity to contribute to the growth of tourism leading to overall balanced development of the region. The public-sector, though remained concerned in providing social, economic and physical infrastructures in the rural tourism sector, the fact remains that its ad-hoc and disintegrated approach could not promote the diverse culture to make it vibrant and creative for the overall human and regional development. This calls for an integration in cultural vibrancy in rural tourism by providing institutional set-up with emphasis on participatory planning.