SHILLONG: Cooperative societies will be advantageous to promote tourism at the grassroots level and generate employment opportunities, said J. Kharsahnoh, joint registrar of Cooperative Societies, on Tuesday.
Addressing a gathering at a one-day workshop and awareness programme for the promotion and development of rural tourism at Laitkynsew Community Hall on Tuesday, Kharsahnoh said Sohra has a scenic beauty making it a sought after tourist destination attracting visitors from across the country and the world.
She stressed the need for co-operatives as she added that tourists nowadays are drawn towards rural tourism and enjoy the experience of living among villagers.
R Kharmujai, MD of Meghalaya Village Development and Promotion Tourism Cooperative Society Limited, said cooperative societies are key promoters of economic opportunities. She explained to the people that it is a difficult task for one person to carry out any activity but working together as a cooperative, the rate of success is more than likely to be higher.
She stressed the importance of undergoing proper training for anyone who is interested in taking up rural tourism related activities. She motivated the people to make optimum use of the “Dopwai” leaf which is found in abundance in the region, in making Dopwai plates.
Kharmujai informed that the Meghalaya Village Development & Promotion Tourism Cooperative Society (MVDPTCS) is a State Level Cooperative Society registered on 25th July 2013 with an objective to ensure smooth operations of Rural Tourism Projects. So far, there are about 20 Cooperative Societies affiliated to MVDPTCS undertaking Rural Tourism activities.
C. Khyriem, Tourist Officer, Sohra, highlighted on the role of the State Tourism Department in harnessing the vast untapped rural tourism prospective of the state.
The programme was organised by the office of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Shillong, in collaboration with MVDPTCS.
The workshop was attended by members of different cooperative societies, SHGs, NGOs, youth organisations, women’s groups and educated unemployed youth from Laitkynsew, Nongriat, Tyrna, Nongwar, Mustoh and other adjacent villages.
