CRA urges Govt to uphold community eco-tourism initiative by Andro villagers

IMPHAL, Sep 24
The Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRA) has urged the State Government to uphold the community eco-tourism initiative by Andro villagers at Santhei park.
The notice issued by the Tourism Corporation of Manipur to privatize Santhei Eco-Tourism Park on September 7 should be revoked and stop all efforts to privatize the community areas, said CRA in a release.
The Government should uphold human rights based development in promotion of tourism initiatives in community areas and seek the consent of Andro villagers for any development initiatives affecting their land and forest areas, it further said.
CRA said it is concerned with the lack of consultation and consent of the Andro villagers before issuing the tender notice.
The Andro villagers are worried that the conversion of the Santhei Natural park will deprive the villagers of the water source and access to their forest area for livelihood. The park has been a source of livelihood of many youths of Andro villages, it said.
The villagers are also worried that the privatization of the park will restrict Andro villagers into their traditional forest land. The Santhei Natural Eco-Park has been managed collectively by different villages of Andro, it said.
CRA said it is concerned that the privatization of Santhei Natural Park will benefit private companies and not the villagers of Andro, as had already happened with privatization of Sendra Hills.
The CRA has also expressed concern with the arbitrary detention of two villagers of Andro for expressing their concern and objection to privatizing Santhei Natural Park.