Meghalaya to identify new tourist destinations to strengthen the economy

Crystal clear water of Wah Umngot river at Dawki

Meghalaya government is to rely more on tourism as the major revenue earner of the state, especially after the ban on coal mining by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The authorities are seeking possibilities of identifying new tourism spots in the state, in order to expand the scope of tourism further.

Meanwhile, tourist footfalls in the state have been showing an increasing trend during the last decade. The government is striving to maintain the inflow of tourists and to enhance it in the forthcoming years.

Tourism Minister Metbah Lyngdoh had said that the number of domestic tourists arrived in the state in was 990,856 during 2017; while the foreign tourists visited the state during the period was 12,051. He was speaking at the legislative assembly during last September.

Wading through the clear water of Wah Umngot river at Dawki

Bantiedor Lyngdoh, Minister of Agriculture, recently visited the Wah Umngot river located at Nongjrong village under Mawkynrew constituency, to evaluate the potential of the region to become a new tourism destination. It may be mentioned that this river connects with the main Wah Umngot river at Dawki.

“I will soon meet the Chief Minister and Tourism Minister to discuss on the possibility of promoting this area as a tourist destination,”said Lyngdoh to the media after visiting the location. He was accompanied by officers from different government departments.

“The local villagers had tried to explore the different spots in the area to promote them as tourism destinations; however it was not successful, without the support of the state. That is why I have brought officers from different government departments to assess the feasibility to promote this place as a tourist destination,” added Lyngdoh.

Nongjrong Village

The minister further said, developing the area as a tourism destination would not only benefit the people of Nongjrong village but it would also generate employment to other neighboring villages under Mawkynrew constituency.

The minister admitted the poor condition of the roads to the river and assured prompt and immediate action to reinstate their condition. He further urged the villagers to keep the area clean and tidy, while preserving their tradition and custom to lure more tourists to the sites.

“We need to promote tourism in the constituency with an object to maximize the benefit of the people,” said the minister and assured the support of the government for implementation of the development programmes.