SHILLONG: A sunken boat as shown in the picture symbolises the sorry state of Nongkhnum, touted as the second largest river island in Asia after Majuli.
The dilapidated roads and lack of tourist amenities deter tourists from visiting Nongkhnum.
During a recent visit to the area, 14 km from Nongstoin, the headquarters of West Khasi Hills, it was revealed that there were not many tourists in the area, which has a sand beach and vast island ideal for boating and resting.
The official website of the Tourism Department, while mentioning that Nongkhnum Island is the biggest river island in Meghalaya and the second biggest river island in Asia after Majuli Island in Assam, however, only says about travelling on foot from Nongstoin takes two and a half hours to reach the island through the villages of Lawse, Mawduh and Mawthar. The area of the river island is 10 sq km.
The website skipped the travel by vehicles probably due to the agony people have to face once they travel via road though the distance from Nongstoin to the island is only 14 km.
A group of family members from Karnataka recently visited the area only to return after sometime since there was nobody to guide them and there was no resting place.
Nongkhnum can also be termed as anglers’ paradise as several anglers were seen on the beach.
A hanging bridge connects the island for free movement of people.
The only option to stay in Nongkhnum is to make tents and sleep but since there is no eatery, visitors prefer to come back.
During this reporter’s visit, a few visitors who were related to a government official brought their own gas cylinder and tents to stay there for one or two days.
The makeshift toilets at the beach were in a shambles.
A few cottages were constructed to accommodate tourists but they are yet to be opened for public use.
A senior tourism department official told The Shillong Times that the department had entrusted a person from Nongstoin to develop the area.
There is difficulty in getting water and in the absence of electricity, solar panels are used.
The tourism official said though tender was called in the past to develop the area, there were no takers. “We are still trying to improve the amenities,” the official added.
There are a few wooden boats to ferry visitors for a tour of the island but they were found to be risky in the absence of life jackets.
The Tourism Department official claimed that life jackets were given to the local society running the wooden boats.
When asked about using mechanised boats for the safety of tourists, the tourism official claimed that the water current in certain pockets of the river prevents use of mechanised boats.
Brothers Pius Nongsiej and Hero Nongseij, who own the land, said there is hardly any tourist visiting the area during monsoons and in winter, the visitors are scanty. “Since there is no place to stay, the tourists have to go back before dusk,” Pius said.
The agreement arrived at by the Tourism Department with the two land owners is for 25 years since 2012.
Thum waterfall inaccessible
The breathtaking Thum waterfall at Nongkhnum remained inaccessible as the surrounding area is full of tall grasses and weeds.
Those who man Nongkhnum have not cleared the hindrances on the pathway and only the adventurous tourists can have access to the waterfall since clearing the tall grasses and weeds is a hard task.
A small memorial structure in the name of a person who had drowned is the only place where people can stand and witness the waterfall as the Tourism Department has not constructed any viewpoint.
The other two waterfalls in the nearby area are the Weinia and the Lynshiang.
