The Ukhrul Forest Division, Government of Manipur organised a Three Days Capacity Building Workshop On Ecotourism, Hospitality and Homestay Management at the Divisional Forest Office, Ukhrul Forest Division. The workshop that kickstarted on 11 September concluded on 13 September 2025. The programme was organised under Raising And Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Scheme.
A total of 39 participants comprising 9 Male and 30 Female attended the workshop. The participants range from existing homestay owners, prospective hosts and entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs and farmers.
DFO of Ukhrul, Laishram Gitla, explained how ecotourism can be a powerful tool for forest conservation by providing alternative livelihoods and a direct link between community well-being and forest health. She expressed an optimistic view about the future Ukhrul and its potential to create a win-win situation for both the people and the environment.
The resource persons for the three days workshop were Wungreiso Rungsung, President of Chiko Adventure, Elflieda Shingnaisui, Trainer of Soft Skills & Hotel Management, Career Pathfinder and Somipam Lungleng, Manager, Livelihood and Natural Resources, UDCRMS.
Wungreiso Rungsung, President Chiko Adventure elaborated on the challenges and experiences faced by the Chiko Adventures in promoting eco-tourism in Ukhrul. Wungreiso Rungsung emphasized on the need to promote Eco-Tourism and stated that the community/individual should give collective effort. Citing examples of driver, tour guide, housekeeping, hotels, homestay, shops and the different roles they played that all contribute to giving quality service to tourist/visitors.
Elflieda Shingnaisui, Trainer of Soft Skills and Hotel Management, Career Pathfinder imparted the knowledge on hospitality and homestay management. She emphasised the need to provide a homely environment to the visiting tourists along with a sense of security.
The participants visited the 25 ˚ North Hotel at Viewland, the hotel management staff demonstrated about the room management, room setting, food presentation and sanitation, reception and customer service.
Somipam Lungleng, Manager, Livelihood and Natural Resources, UDCRMS stated “Ukhrul lies in one of the Bio-Diversity Hotspot of the World, the Indo-Burma Region” Case studies form Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya were shared to the participants.
Chermishan ASP, Range Forest Officer, HQ Ukhrul, thanked the trainees and participants for their full dedication in the three day capacity building workshop. Subject experts leading the sessions which has ensured that the program was engaging and beneficial for all the participants. She emphasized that positive outcomes and tangible results are expected in the future from the participants, which will benefit the community at large.
