SHILLONG: The dilapidated condition of the approach road, to Shella, a quaint village in East Khasi Hills, which is approximately 90 kms from Shillong, posed a hindrance to the people of Shella who want to promote the place a tourists destination.
The road from Lad Tyrna to Mawlong is marred with eroded stones, potholes which deter tourists from visiting the place.
However, the Shella Village Dorbar has found tourism an alternative source of livelihood that can provide employment to the youth prompting them to launch the Shella Tourism Initiative-2017.
The tourism initiative was launched by Deputy Commissioner of the District and CEO of Special Purpose Vehicle Society (SPVS), PS Dkhar, at a programme held on the bank of Shella River.
The programme was organised by Shella Village Dorbar and Shella Village Tourism Promotion and Management Society (SVTPMS).
The programme was sponsored by Lafarge Umiam Mining Private Limited (LUMPL) and Special Purpose Vehicle Society (SPVS).
Speaking on the road condition, Dkhar told reporters, “Side by side we will have to look into it, whether the PWD will be able to do it or should we fund from SPVS. In any case, we have to repair the road.”
Dkhar said, “We have to repair the road. The first thing people ask is about the road and if the road connection is not good then people would not like to come for a longer distance to this place.”
He informed that the PWD may have a set of projects but the Special Purpose Vehicle Society (SPVS) may not be able to fund the entire road.
Stating that road has to be developed for the promotion of tourism, he said, “So we have to take the vital ones at one time. In one financial year we may take two-three roads, in a phase manner.”
Speaking on the tourism initiative, he said, “This is a new project as since the inception of SPVS, we have not thought of tourism sector. The Shella Dorbar has come to us with a proposal to encourage and initiate them in the field of tourism.”
He said that under SPVS, there are 55 villages. Dkhar said, “We are looking in terms of infrastructure projects, water supply and tourism is one sector where we will encourage them to start with.”
Stressing on infrastructure and livelihood of the people, he said that people in the village may be interested to take up livelihood projects like horticulture, weaving etc., or an individual household getting sponsors if they want to take up something.
Meanwhile, Roy Kupar Synrem, secretary of Shella village said, “Most tourists end up in Sohra as they don’t want to come here as there is no infrastructure. We want people to come here, we can promote camping, trekking routes, link other villages, water sports.”
He added that they have sent youth of the village to be trained with regard to water safety and training in other capacities.
On the same day, a waste Management Campaign 2017, a CSR initiative for support of Health Services, sponsored by LUMPL, was organized by the Shella Village dorbar.