Women-led rural tourism key to Buddhist circuit growth: Arunachal Minister
Synopsis
At a regional workshop in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh Minister Dasanglu Pul made the case that women in rural and tribal communities — already the custodians of oral traditions, handicrafts, and festivals — are the most natural drivers of a sustainable Buddhist tourism circuit linking Northeast India with Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka.
Key Takeaways
Arunachal Pradesh Cultural Affairs Minister Dasanglu Pul addressed a regional workshop on the Buddhist Circuit in Northeast India in Tawang on 7 May 2025 .
Delegates from Nepal , Bhutan , Sri Lanka , Assam , and Sikkim participated in the workshop.
Key destinations highlighted include Tawang , Mechukha , and the Golden Pagoda in Namsai .
The state government is backing women-led tourism through skill development , micro-financing , infrastructure , and digital promotion initiatives.
The workshop is seen as a step toward positioning Northeast India as a node in a transnational Buddhist heritage tourism network .
Arunachal Pradesh Cultural Affairs Minister Dasanglu Pul on Thursday, 7 May said that women-led rural tourism has the potential to become a transformative force for cultural exchange, sustainable development, and regional cooperation across the Himalayan Buddhist belt. The minister made the remarks while addressing a regional workshop on "Development of the Buddhist Circuit in Northeast India" held in Tawang.
Workshop Brings Together Regional Delegates
The workshop drew delegates from Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Assam, and Sikkim, with discussions centred on strengthening regional cooperation and promoting sustainable tourism rooted in a shared Buddhist heritage. Technical sessions covered themes including regional connectivity, destination branding, and the role of women-led rural tourism in fostering inclusive development.
Detailed deliberations were also held on identifying and promoting key Buddhist heritage sites across the Northeast as part of a broader, integrated tourism circuit connecting India with neighbouring Buddhist nations.
Arunachal Pradesh's Tourism Potential
Highlighting the state's immense cultural and spiritual assets, Minister Pul — who also holds the Women and Child Development portfolio — noted that Arunachal Pradesh, often called the "Land of the Rising Sun", is home to significant destinations including Tawang, Mechukha, and the Golden Pagoda in Namsai. She emphasised that women in rural and tribal communities have traditionally been the custodians of oral traditions, handicrafts, indigenous cuisines, festivals, and rituals.
Actively involving these women in tourism initiatives, she argued, would not only help preserve cultural heritage but also generate livelihood opportunities and strengthen local economies. This comes amid a broader national push to develop the Buddhist circuit as a pilgrimage and cultural tourism destination connecting India with Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka.
Government's Commitment to Women-Led Tourism
The minister said the state government remains committed to supporting working women through a range of measures, including skill development programmes, micro-financing support, infrastructure development, and digital promotion of local tourism experiences. She also stressed the importance of deepening tourism and cultural linkages with neighbouring Buddhist nations to boost international arrivals and strengthen people-to-people ties across the region.
Significance and Way Forward
Officials described the workshop as a significant step towards enhancing regional collaboration and unlocking the vast tourism potential of Northeast India through inclusive, community-driven, and sustainable development models. Notably, the initiative seeks to position Northeast India — long underrepresented in mainstream tourism circuits — as a key node in a transnational Buddhist heritage network. The outcomes of the workshop are expected to inform policy recommendations for developing the Buddhist circuit as a sustainable and women-inclusive tourism destination.
Point of View
Overshadowed by the Bodh Gaya–Sarnath–Kushinagar belt. Minister Pul's framing — positioning rural women not as beneficiaries but as primary agents of cultural tourism — is a meaningful shift in language, if not yet in policy scale. The real test will be whether micro-financing and skill programmes translate into measurable income gains for tribal women, or remain workshop-level commitments. With Bhutan and Sri Lanka already at the table, the transnational dimension adds diplomatic weight, but cross-border tourism circuits require sustained infrastructure investment that state-level workshops alone cannot deliver.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Buddhist Circuit in Northeast India?
The Buddhist Circuit in Northeast India is a proposed transnational tourism network linking key Buddhist heritage and spiritual sites across states like Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Sikkim with neighbouring countries including Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. It aims to promote cultural exchange and sustainable tourism rooted in shared Buddhist heritage.
Who is Dasanglu Pul and what did she say at the Tawang workshop?
Dasanglu Pul is the Cultural Affairs and Women and Child Development Minister of Arunachal Pradesh. At the Tawang workshop on 7 May 2025, she said women-led rural tourism can serve as a powerful instrument for promoting cultural exchange, sustainable development, and regional cooperation across the Himalayan Buddhist belt.
Which countries and states participated in the Tawang Buddhist circuit workshop?
The workshop brought together delegates from Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Assam, and Sikkim, along with Arunachal Pradesh, to discuss strengthening regional cooperation and promoting sustainable tourism linked to Buddhist heritage.
How does the Arunachal Pradesh government plan to support women in tourism?
The state government plans to support women through skill development programmes, micro-financing support, infrastructure development, and digital promotion of local tourism experiences, according to Minister Dasanglu Pul.
What are the key Buddhist tourism destinations in Arunachal Pradesh?
Arunachal Pradesh's key Buddhist tourism destinations include Tawang, Mechukha, and the Golden Pagoda in Namsai, all of which are being highlighted as part of the broader Northeast India Buddhist circuit initiative.
