Shillong, Feb 02: The Tourism Department in collaboration with the Office of Syiem Hima Nongkhlaw Syiemship, Meghalaya State Planning Board, Govt of Meghalaya, conducted the first Awareness program on Tourism at Nongkhlaw Village, Hima Nongkhlaw Syiemship, West Khasi Hills.
The Tourism awareness program was opened and chaired by Paiem Phrester Manik Syiemlieh, Syiem Hima Nongkhlaw Syiemship, West Khasi Hills District, in the presence of Bah John F Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, MSPB, Chairman, The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, Dr Eureka L Mawlong, Dy Chairman, MSPB, Mr K M Momin, Joint Director, Department of Tourism, Mr M Ahmed, EE, Ms D Synrem, Information Publicity Officer, Mr Marc AN Diengdoh, Tourist Officer, Nongstoin, Mr A Kharbani, Sordar Shnong Nongkhlaw including other Village Chiefs and Youths from over 25 villages of Nongkhlaw Area.
In his opening speech Mr. John F Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, MSPB, informed that this initiative has taken place after a meeting with Dr Mukul Sangma, Chief Minister, on the Tourism potential of Hima Nongkhlaw including a report on the various possible tourist spots submitted by Paiem Phrester Manik Syiemlieh, Syiem Hima Nongkhlaw Syiemship, and Kong Bashisha Rani, in presence of Bah John F Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, MSPB, and in consultation and help from Dr Eureka L Mawlong, Dy Chairman, MSPB.
Bah John F Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, MSPB, informed that Dr Mukul Sangma, Chief Minister, had also wanted to attend this program but could not due to urgent engagements, and has sent a message to the Syiem and Dorbar of Hima Nongkhlaw Area that his sincere desire is that the people of Nongkhlaw Area, the Village Chiefs and the Youths start actvively engaging themselves in discussing the possibility of promoting Tourism in their area inview of its scenic beauty, historical places and due to the NEC and State Governments special allocation of funds for road widening, construction program from Mairang – Nongkhlaw – Ranigodown – Azra Road at a cost of Rs 7.35 Crores.
John F Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, MSPB, stated that sustainable Tourism in this scenic area can develop only by joining hands between all the stake holders which includes the people, the village chiefs, and more importantly the youths of the area.
With the development of this highway Nongkhlaw Area will be only a short distance away from Guwahati Airport and this could potentially be the next destination for Tourist in Meghalaya provided the people were ready to accept Tourism in the area. He stated that as of latest figures Six Lakhs Eighty Five Thousand tourist visited Meghalaya and a large chunk of them proceed only to Sohra Area (Cherrapunjee).
He stated that it was encouraging that India today attracted 63 Lak foreign tourist and the foreign exchange earnings from tourism was Rs 83,938 Crore as per 2012 figures. He however pointed out that smaller countries like Greece attracted 1.64 crore foreign tourist and while Italy attracted 4.61 crore foreign tourist.
John F Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, MSPB, called on the people of Nongkhlaw Area to plan an set a target for themselves in terms of attracting foreign and domestic tourist and it requires participatory consultations and support at all levels starting with discussions within the family and villages on cleanliness of the surroundings, accepting the concept of welcoming domestic and foreign tourist, and more importantly to strictly ensure that no unfortunate incidents occur in the area which would bring a bad name to development of tourism in the area.
He informed that the Government of Meghalaya is making efforts in promotion of tourism all over the State.
Bah John F Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, MSPB, called on the different departments in the State such as PWD (Roads) to re-invent the wheel on road construction and facilitate promotion of tourism as they too are important stake holders, he stated that it would be next to impossible to promote tourism with poor road conditions.
Bah John F Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, MSPB, and Dr(Mrs) Eureka L Mawlong, thanked the Tourism department for the awareness program and hoped that this would be the beginning of the process in the promotion of tourism in West Khasi Hills District through Nongkhlaw Area.
After the program the Syiem Hima Nongkhlaw, Elders led Bah John F Kharshing, and the officers of the Tourism Department to visit ten potential tourist spots located as 1. Nongkhlaw Viewpoint 2. Mawbishar (Judgement Stone Table) 3. Krem Pyrda Caves 4) Historical Ritual place of the Syiems of Nongkhlaw, 5) Nongkhlaw Lake 6) View Point of David Scott trail and Domiit 7 ) View Point – of Mawiong & Ri-Bhoi District 8) Rock Climbing and 9 ) British Memorial of 1829 10) Potential Locations for setting up of a Golf Course including others.(SP News)
