By Anish V Punnackattu
Shillong: Meghalaya is fast evolving as a tourism hub in the North East region. The state government recently announced a new tourism policy to elevate Meghalaya as a hub for Tourism in the North East. The new tourism policy has been formulated after taking into consideration the cultural and natural beauty of the state. According to L Kharkongor, Commissioner and Secretary - Tourism, Meghalaya, Green Tourism is the core of the new tourism policy, and tourism stakeholders, especially hotels, will have to implement water harvesting and tap renewable energy sources for a sustainable tourism environment in the state.
Speaking at a workshop organized by Confederation of Tourism Industry of Meghalaya (CTIM) recently in Shillong, Kharkongor said that the department will encourage tourism projects involving community participation. “The major vision of the policy will be to make Meghalaya a preferred destination by taking the advantage of cultural and natural beauty,” she informed.
The Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, has identified destinations like Balpakram, Nokrek Biosphere, Cherrapunji and Mawlong for large scale infrastructure development. The department plans to create infrastructure including tourist bungalows and traditional cottages, and plans to involve private investors for the same.
Tourism Department – Meghalaya plans to promote Rural Tourism in Mawlong, Wildlife Tourism in Nokrek and Balpakram and Eco-tourism in Cherrapunji. Mawlong is a village situated 39 km from Shillong. Nokrek and Balpakram are hilly areas and have wildlife sanctuaries. Cherranpunji gets the highest rainfall in the country.
According to K Momin, Joint Director, Meghalaya Tourism, infrastructure development works underway at these destinations will be completed over a period of two years. He said that the state tourism department would promote these destinations through various national and international tourism fairs and exhibitions.
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