SHILLONG: Gavin Miguel Mylliem, the first-time MLA who won from Sohra on the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) ticket, has suggested diversification of tourism in the East Khasi Hills cynosure.
“I would tell people, especially those in Khatar Shnong, to find out another form of tourism like adventure tourism. Often tourists prefer trekking and cycling. Sadly, the current trend is only sightseeing,” Mylliem said.
According to him, the issue of unemployment looms large in the state and that people have to grab the golden opportunity from the growing tourism industry.
“We should find out different ways to improve tourism industry that will benefit the unemployed youth. As tourism is known as a smokeless industry, there is a need to generate employment through tourism,” the MLA added.
On the other hand, Mylliem also raised concern that locals are not benefitted from the earnings of tourism industry as most of the tourist vehicles from Assam take the visitors in and around Sohra.
“I will take up the matter with the Chief Minister (Conrad Sangma). Tourists usually take Assam tourist vehicles from the airport and rely on them to show them around,” he added.
He pointed out that a policy should be framed where tourists should park their vehicles in a particular place so that local taxi drivers can take them to tourist spots.
Asked on the challenges he faced as a first-time legislator, Mylliem said there are expectation from the people and there are many challenges as their expectations of change.
“Schemes of the government have to be channelised in a proper way. In the last few years, it seems that the MLA schemes are utilised to buy votes,” Mylliem said adding that a policy should be in place to channelise the schemes.
As for the development in Sohra, he informed that he met PWD Minister Prestone Tynsong recently to place the development of roads in the constituency.
“I visited the areas in Khatar Shnong, I find that the road infrastructure is under-developed. There were places that we have to walk for 2-3 hours, and there the people complain about the price of essential commodities,” he said.
