TURA: A One Day Workshop cum Awareness programme for Promotion and Development of Rural Tourism through Cooperative Societies was held at Eden Bari near Tura on Wednesday. The programme was organised by the Office of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies in collaboration with the Office of Meghalaya Village Development and Promotion Tourism Cooperative Society Limited, Shillong.
Speaking during the programme Joint Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Shillong J Kharsahnoh stated that Meghalaya is blessed with beautiful scenery, majestic landscape, sparkling clear rivers and streams, rich culture, traditions and heritage of the people which attracts tourist to the state. Therefore, the government of Meghalaya has come up with a new concept in which they are trying to bring it closer to the people of developing and promoting Rural Tourism through Cooperative Societies, she added.
“Rural Tourism can be eco-friendly and sustainable business which can also generate income as well as create employment opportunities to the youth of the region”, she said.
Managing Director, Meghalaya Village Development and Promotion Tourism Cooperative Society Limited, Shillong R Kharmujai spoke about the Skill Development on Rural Tourism during the workshop. She informed that the Meghalaya Village Development & Promotion Tourism Cooperative Society (MVDPTCS) is a State Level Cooperative Society which was organised and registered as per the provisions of the Meghalaya Cooperative Societies Act on July 2013 in order to ensure smooth operations of Rural Tourism Projects spread in different parts of the state.
“The main objective is to provide necessary guidance and assistance which can promote and develop the Tourism Industry at a village level and also to uplift the economic conditions of the people of the region especially in rural areas,” she added.
She informed about Rural Tourism Hub which has been functioning at Umden, Mawphanlur, Mawlongbna, Mawlyngngot, Kongthong, Domtiewsoh amongst others and Aminda Rangsa Village, which is the only affiliated society till date from Garo hills region.
A short Documentary film was also shown to the participants with regard to promoting of eco-rural tourism through MVDPTCS in the state of Meghalaya.