The Jiribam Forest Division, under Divisional Forest Officer Km. Elangbam Nirmala Chanu, on Friday inaugurated a 3-day awareness programme on eco-tourism alongside a 3-day capacity-building workshop on candle crafts at the Conference Hall, PWD Guest House, Jiribam. The initiative aims to impart knowledge on eco-tourism, hospitality, and tourist management, while enhancing skills and craftsmanship in candle-making.
Conducted under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme, a World Bank-supported initiative by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), the programme targets youth and women from Jiribam District, with special focus on participants from Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) communities. The initiative seeks to promote livelihood opportunities, empower artisans, encourage entrepreneurship, and advance eco-tourism and sustainable development in the region.
Resource persons for the programme include Shri Sureshkumar Singh, an expert on eco-tourism and homestays, and Km. H. Sangeeta Devi, a candle craft specialist. The Jiribam Forest Division has previously conducted similar capacity-building workshops on beekeeping and bamboo and cane crafts, benefiting around 120 local artisans.
The programme is implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of MSME, Government of India, under the RAMP scheme.