[Assam] New York auction to aid biosphere reserve in Arunachal Pradesh

[Manoj Das]

New York auction to aid biosphere reserve in Arunachal Pradesh
 NEW DELHI, Aug 31 – Come September 18 and 18 artists from across the globe
will auction their works in New York in a bid to collect fund for
development of the first community biosphere reserve in India, reports PTI.
The Eko Dumbing community biosphere reserve in Siang valley in Arunachal
Pradesh will be the first-of-its-kind in the country. It is also one of the
last tropical pristine forests left on earth, says Nalong Mize, media
associate, Future Generations, a US-based NGO which is organising the
auction.

The artists roped in for the project are Maya Lin, Manolo Blahnik, Eric
Boman, Constantin and Laurene Boym, Monica Castiglion, Sandro Chia, April
Gornik, Gabriella Kiss, Florent Morellet, Rebecca Riley, Laurie Simmons,
Dayanita Singh, Matthew Solomon, Pat Steir, Fred Wilson Sylvia Weinstock and
Facundo de Zuviria.

The expected collection from the auction is around USD 200,000 to USD
300,000, says Mize.

The auction is sponsored by "Travel+Leisure", a popular American travel
magazine. The pieces to be sold have been curated by eminent art historian
Gabriella De Ferrari.

"International artists were specially requested to design artwork for the
project. The fund gathered from this auction will be used for developing the
biosphere reserve," says Mize.

"Many people are unaware that Tsangpo gorge near the project base in
Arunachal Pradesh is four times deeper than the Grand Canyon in the US. The
fund generated can be used for promoting mahseer fishing, whitewater
rafting, kayaking and other water sports here," Mize, who was earlier
adviser to Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, said.

Mize said the NGO is keen on developing the Northeastern state as an
ultimate tourist destination. The NGO based in Virginia has associate
offices in Kabul, Beijing, Lima, Ottawa and its only office in southeast
Asia is in Itanagar.

Future Generations will try to develop the 'sacred lakes' of Debakota and
Danakosha in Pemako region, also known as the 'Sacred Hidden Lotus Land' for
tourism. This land is dedicated to Dorje Phagmo, the sleeping female Buddha.


"Tibetan mythology speaks about the holy land of Pemako, where a large
number of people come for pilgrimage," Mize said adding, "A dip in the holy
lakes purifies your soul for seven lives."

"Tie-ups with other NGOs and legislators to promote eco tourism in the
sacred lake region will be our primary objective," he said.

Speaking on the need to expose the region to the world, Mize said lack of
civilian airports has affected tourist flow.

"We are hoping Arunachal gets exposure through this auction. Our state is
ready to welcome tourists. We have 12 airstrips - the highest in India - all
of which have capacity for Boeing 737 landing, but ironically no civilian
airport."

Siang valley can be reached in two hours by speedboat from Dibrugarh in
Assam, which is connected by daily flights, of two-and-a-half hour duration
from Delhi.

-- 
Manoj Kumar Das
C 172 GF, Sarvodaya Enclave
New Delhi 17 India
0091 9312650558 (HP) 9910972654