Nagaon: Altogether 50 major tour operators in Assam will launch a three-day Dima Hasao tour programme from Thursday to chalk out strategies to include the naturally-rich district in the tourist circuit of the Northeast.

They will talk to local stakeholders, including hotel and restaurant owners, tour agents and leaders of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council to find out ways to attract tourists.

The programme will be arranged by the Tourism Operators Association of Assam in cooperation with the autonomous council and the state's tourism department.

The association's assistant secretary, Hemanta Deka, said: "Most of our tour operators are in the dark about the district's rich natural resources and unique culture of its tribes. Once we go there, we can tell tourists at the time of scheduling a tour," Deka said.

Dima Hasao is known for Jatinga which became famous for the mysterious deaths of migratory birds, waterfalls at Panimur and Umrangso, remains of the ancient Dimasa kingdom in Maibong and Boraille hill. Law-and-order trouble, militancy, frequent strikes were the reasons why the district lost its place on the tourism map.

"Gone are the days of trouble and unrest. Development has brought a new ray of hope. The hill district will get back its lost glory," the autonomous council's executive member, Kulendra Daulagupu, said.

The association members will participate in its annual general meeting in Haflong on Thursday.

"We will interact with stakeholders and local organisations on Friday. The next day we will visit the main destinations," said general secretary of the association, Sachin Goswami.

"We hope the new initiative will uplift Dima Hasao as a tourist-friendly district," said Pranjal Langthasa, a hotel owner at Maibong.