Itanagar: In a bid to promote Arunachal Pradesh’s rich natural and cultural heritage, chief minister Pema Khandu on Friday chaired a review meeting with the planning department, focusing on a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing the state’s unique identity.Among the key proposals discussed was the branding of Arunachal as the ‘Orchid Capital of India’, highlighting its status as home to over 600 orchid species — the highest in the country. The move is expected to boost the state’s visibility as a biodiversity hotspot and attract nature-based tourism.The meeting also explored ways to position kiwi as Arunachal’s unique selling proposition (USP), with plans to scale up production and market access. The development of integrated tourism circuits was another major focus, aimed at tapping into the state’s scenic and cultural diversity to boost the local economy.Khandu also took stock of efforts to revive and preserve Mon Shugu — the traditional handmade paper craft of the Monpa community. The chief minister stressed the importance of protecting indigenous art forms and ensuring that traditional knowledge systems are passed on to future generations.”These initiatives reflect our commitment to sustainable development while protecting the state’s cultural roots and ecological wealth,” Khandu said.Officials said the govt plans to align these projects with broader strategies for economic growth, eco-tourism, and rural empowerment.