ECOTOURISM IN NORTH-EAST INDIA: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES

North East India, comprising Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim, represents one of the world’s richest biodiversity hotspots and cultural reservoirs. Ecotourism-sustainable, community-based, nature-focused travel-holds considerable promise for the region’s economic development, conservation, and social empowerment. Iconic destinations like Kaziranga, Manas, KeibulLamjao, Mawlynnong, Majuli, Ziro, and Namdapha offer unique fauna, flora, cultural traditions, and pristine landscapes. These sites provide rural livelihoods through home-stays, guided treks, wildlife safaris, and cultural immersion, fostering local entrepreneurship and stemming out-migration. Despite its potential, ecotourism in the North East faces substantial challenges. Inadequate infrastructure-poor roads, limited accommodation, unreliable telecom-hinders tourist access and inflates costs. Environmental pressures from improper waste management, habitat disruption, and resource overuse threaten fragile ecosystems. Socio-political issues-insurgency, restricted zones, ethnic tensions-and administrative bottlenecks like permitting slow the establishment and marketing of tourism enterprises .Gaps in trained human resources, market research, and promotional efforts remain major barriers . To sustainably harness ecotourism’s potential, integrated strategies are imperative: improved infrastructure and digital connectivity; community capacity building and entrepreneurship training; robust environmental regulations with visitor capacity limits and waste systems; targeted PR and FAM tours; and policies supporting local ownership and cultural authenticity .If effectively implemented, such measures can transform North East India into a premier ecotourism destination that fosters conservation, cultural preservation, and inclusive economic growth.