Lhou Grelleng, a peaceful and culturally vibrant heritage village nestled in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district, is poised to become a model cultural tourism destination. This development follows a detailed visit by a team of tourism and heritage experts, aiming to preserve and promote the village’s rich traditions while opening doors for sustainable tourism.
The expert delegation was led by Bengia Manna Sonam, Deputy Director of Tourism, and included internationally acclaimed cultural heritage specialist Dr. Madhura Dutta, District Tourism Officer Tsering Dekey, and noted rural tourism mentor Raj Basu, who also serves as an advisor to the state’s tourism department. The team was supported by a specialized documentation unit tasked with recording the village’s unique cultural features.
This field visit follows an earlier survey conducted by conservation architect Anjan Mitra, who examined the traditional Monpa-style architecture and cultural landscape of the village. Mitra’s findings laid the groundwork for the ongoing heritage initiative.
During their stay, the team held an interactive session at the village monastery with members of the Lhou Grelleng Heritage Village Committee. Local leaders informed the delegation that infrastructure development, including roads and parking facilities, is nearing completion—signaling readiness for increased tourist activity.
Deputy Director Sonam emphasized the importance of Responsible Tourism, particularly in remote tribal areas, and pointed to Arunachal Pradesh’s 14 recognized tourism circuits. She encouraged a community-driven approach, saying that preserving culture must go hand in hand with development.
Dr. Dutta shared insights on preserving cultural landscapes using global best practices aligned with UNESCO guidelines. She highlighted the need to maintain technical and cultural integrity during conservation efforts.
Tourism Officer Tsering Dekey addressed the declining tourist engagement in Tawang, noting that reduced cultural interaction had led to shorter visitor stays—down from five nights to just two. She recommended a day-long cultural experience to enrich visits and draw more tourists.
Raj Basu reaffirmed the central role of the community in heritage tourism, noting that real success comes only when locals take ownership. He confirmed that an architectural conservation roadmap is ready, and encouraged residents to take initiative in launching cultural programs.
