By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Besides developing the heritage village near the Law Kyntang (sacred groves) at Mawphlang, the KHADC Executive Committee is also considering developing more heritage sites in areas which fall under the jurisdiction of the Council.
“We have identified two other places which we would like to develop as heritage sites,” Executive Member in charge Finance Antonio War informed during the Question Hour on the final day of the budget session on Thursday.
Stating that the first site which they have identified is in Rangjyrteh village near Dainthlen Falls in Sohra, War said that they have already had a discussion with the Syiem of Sohra for developing this place as a heritage site.
He further informed that Nongkhnum island in West Khasi Hills is next on the agenda for developing as a heritage site. Nongkhnum in West Khasi Hills is the second largest river island in Asia.
While replying to a question raised by Mawkyrwat HSPDP MDC Enbin K Raswai and Sohra UDP MDC Titos Chyne on the proposed Monolith Festival which the Council is planning to organize, War said that they plan to hold this festival in the next financial year probably by the end of this year.
Replying to a supplementary question of Raswai on whether the Council had spent any amount for the proposed festival, EM in charge Art and Culture Teinwell Dkhar said that so far not a single amount has been spent.
Meanwhile, Dkhar informed that the Council has so far earmarked a total amount of Rs 82.80 lakh for the construction of the heritage village at Mawphlang.
While informing that no tender has been called for the proposed construction of the heritage village, he said that they had decided to allot the work to a local consultant firm after negotiation.
“We hope that the local firm would be able to construct the heritage village as per our expectations,” the EM in charge Art and Culture said.
The Mawkyrwat HSPDP MDC expressed his disappointment as to why the amount which has been earmarked for the heritage village was not reflected in the budget of the Council.
“The proposed fund which has been earmarked is a huge one and it should have been reflected in the budget,” Raswai said.