Union minister Renuka Chowdhury releasing a book on investment opportunities in eco-tourism. A file picture

Imphal, Sept. 25: The Okram Ibobi Singh government has decided to set up an eco-tourism park in Imphal East district. The government has sent the proposal to the Union tourism ministry with the hope that necessary funds would be provided soon.

The Rs 40-crore project will include a golf course with three tee holes, a recreation centre, a children?s park and a botanical garden. The state government has set March as the target month for completing the project.

?The project is being taken up as part of the government?s efforts to revive the tourism industry to increase the state revenue. The eco-tourism park will be set up at the foothills of Nongmaiching in Imphal East district. The government has identified the area,? tourism and youth affairs and sports minister, Govindas Konthoujam, said.

Tourism is one of the hardest-hit industries in militancy-wracked Manipur. Very few tourists visit the place these days. Earlier, the state was a popular destination for both foreign and domestic tourists.

Tourists are discouraged from coming to Manipur as security forces deployed for tackling insurgency are stationed at almost all the tourist homes. They do not pay any rent .

The minister said the project would be taken up under the supervision of the Indian Tourism Council. The state forest department has given its clearance after it was assured that the area?s vegetation would not be disturbed.

?With the eco-tourism park, the state government is hoping to attract tourists to Manipur. The Centre has also given its assurance to clear the project. If everything goes well and the people give their full co-operation, it would be completed by March next year,? Konthoujam said.

The government also decided to set up rural tourism spots in villages. Under this project, traditional houses of Manipur would be constructed at different tourist locations. At these spots, Manipur?s traditional food items would be made available to the tourists.

?The traditional food of Manipur has the potential of tickling the palates of outsiders. The project will be taken up during this financial year,? the minister said.

Since Imphal has only a few posh hotels, the government is also considering construction of tourist circuit houses in the state capital.

?But all these projects can be taken up only if there is no interference. I appeal to all to extend co-operation to the tourism development activities,? Konthoujam said.