<p>The largest wetland in the Northeast - Sonbeel in Assam's Barak Valley - is all set to become a popular tourist destination with the state government taking several promotional initiatives in this direction.<br><br>The shimmering water of the fresh water lake coupled with the natural beauty of the hills surrounding it, a vibrant fishing community with rich folk culture and wide avian and piscean population makes the area in Karimganj district an ideal tourist spot.<br><br>"There is immense potential in developing the area in an eco-friendly manner for tourism. Tourists do visit the area but due to lack of proper accommodation, most are forced to return to the nearest town of Karimganj or Silchar," Karimganj deputy commissioner Sanjiv Gohain Boruah told PTI.<br><br>The government has decided to address this problem by setting up a tourist lodge in Mokam Kalibari village along the wetland and the funds have been already sanctioned for the purpose.<br><br>"The emphasis is to promote eco-friendly tourism without affecting the environment of the area. Photographers from far and near come to the area to capture its varied natural features and as such photography tourism, which has assumed special significance, with progress in digital photography, will also be a major focus area," he said.<br><br>People residing in the villages in the adjacent area belong to the fishing community and have a rich heritage of folk culture, particularly music, which the tourists can enjoy in the evenings, he said.<br><br>(PTI)</p>
