Bid to provide homely accomodation, authentic cuisine to tourists
NONGSTOIN: With an aim to boost tourism through community participation, the Tourism Department has embarked on a project to beautify Nongkhnum, the second largest river island in Asia, and provide better facilities to visitors to the area.
Besides beautification plans on the river island, work has commenced on projects to ensure homely stay of tourists visiting Nongkhnum island and providing them authentic Khasi cuisine.
In this regard, a team of the District Administration led by West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, S Kharlyngdoh and heads of several other departments visited the project site on Saturday.
Speaking to pressmen, Kharlyngdoh said the initiative was taken by the Tourism department to provide home-like, clean and affordable accommodation facilities to tourists.
Kharlyngdoh informed that the project was being funded by Tourism Development at an estimated cost of Rs. 96 lakh and included five “home stay” facilities and one restaurant.
He also informed that the DRDA, under the Committee and Rural Development Scheme, sanctioned a bridge at an estimated cost of Rs 50 lakh to connect Nongkhnum Island. The work for the bridge is slated to be completed by October, 2015.
Kharlyngdoh assured that the entire project will be completed by December, 2015. “We believe that it would be more appealing if foreign tourists, who are generally keen to stay with a local family, get a feel of traditional life and savour the warmth and hospitality,” Kharlyngdoh said adding that authentic Khasi cuisines would be another attraction for the enthusiastic travellers.
“The project works for providing home stay and restaurant are already underway and we intend to promote more facilities to beautify Nongkhnum,” he added.
“The project would make the local people important stakeholders in tourism and add to employment and revenue generation,” Kharlyngdoh said adding that the project will be run by Nongkhnum Development Society and youths are being trained for the purpose.
