Project Partners:

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• Designing & Implementing Partner: Impact Investors

• Supporting Partner: Indian Army (Operation Sadbhavana)

 

Project Location: Aalo, West Siang, Arunachal Pradesh, India

 

Project Date: October 2024

 

Target Beneficiaries: 45 native residents of Arunachal Pradesh, predominantly from the Galo ethnic group.

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Problem:

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Limited economic opportunities and the risk of cultural erosion in remote border regions like West Siang. Traditional development models often overlook the need to preserve cultural and ecological heritage while focussing on livelihood generation. 

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Solution:

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A practical, participatory training program focused on:

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• Community-Based Tourism (CBT): Shifting the focus from large-scale development to community-owned and managed homestays, farm-stays, and eco-stays.
   

• Responsible Tourism: Minimising environmental impact through waste management, utilising existing structures, and promoting local produce.
   

• Cultural Preservation: Integrating traditional Galo culture, cuisine, and practices into the tourism experience.
   

• Social Entrepreneurship: Creating opportunities for broader community involvement through local handicrafts, guiding services, and storytelling.
   

Key Activities:
 

• Classroom training on homestay management, hospitality, and social entrepreneurship

• Field visits to established homestays and farms

• Cultural storytelling and theatrical presentations

• Practical exercises on hosting, operations, and guest experience design

• Focus on local food systems, waste reduction, and minimal environmental impact

• Development of community-based tourism models and policies.

Impact and Outcomes:

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• Economic Empowerment: 45 individuals trained in sustainable tourism practices, with the potential to generate income through homestays and related services.
   

• Cultural Preservation: Integrating traditional Galo culture into the tourism experience, ensuring its continuity and appreciation. Examples include using traditional kitchens as “live museums,” showcasing local costumes and art, and promoting traditional food preparation methods.
   

• Environmental Sustainability: Promoting responsible tourism practices that minimise environmental impact and support local ecosystems. Examples include promoting local produce, waste management, and minimising new construction.
   

• Community Development: Cultivating community ownership and participation in tourism development, creating broader economic benefits through related services and handicrafts. Demonstrated through training of village guides and the creation of a local resource list for tourist services.
   

• Shift in Mindset: Participants shifted from pursuing large-scale development projects to embracing community-based homestays.
   

• Multi-generational Learning: Instances of multiple family members participating in the training, promoting intergenerational knowledge transfer.
   

• Local Leadership: A participant from the first training batch became a co-facilitator in the second, demonstrating capacity building and local ownership.
   

Metrics:
 

• Number of individuals trained: 45
   

• Number of potential homestays established: (to be tracked)
   

• Potential increase in local income (to be tracked)
   

• Number of community members indirectly benefiting from tourism activities: (to be tracked)
   

Sustainability:

The project emphasises community ownership and capacity building to ensure long-term sustainability. The community-based tourism model and the training provided will enable local residents to manage and benefit from tourism activities independently.

Call to Action (for Investors):

This project demonstrates the potential of community-based tourism to drive sustainable development and cultural preservation. We seek investment to further scale this model in other regions, providing training, seed funding, and ongoing support to local communities. If you consider investing in the future of sustainable tourism and the empowerment of indigenous communities, please reach out to us.