SHILLONG: The United States was keen to collect the remains of a plane that crashed during the World War–II in Nokrek in West Garo Hills.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, who visited the area, informed this and asked the locals to preserve the site as part of developing tourism.
”The villages on the foothills of Nokrek are lush green and beautiful. By enhancing connectivity and creating basic amenities, we will be able to market the villages as eco-tourism destination in Garo Hills,” said Sangma.
He said Rs 22 crore has been sanctioned to develop road and 12 crore for construction of view point, rest area in Nokrek, while Rs 600 crore is expected from World Bank for initiating catchment protection and sustainable alternative to jhum cultivation along the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve.
Sangma on Saturday visited Dura Kalakgre village and discussed measures to initiate welfare and development of the village and its adjoining area.
Dura Kalakgre village is the main source of water for the town of Tura.
The village is located on the foothills of Nokrek Biosphere Reserve.
At Dura Kalakgre village, about 40 km from Tura, villagers of Oragitok, Chandigre, Tosekgre, Baladingre and Sakalgre assembled to express their concerns and placed before the chief minister issues pertaining to the development of the village and its adjoining areas on the foothills of the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve.
The main road to the village is under construction and the villagers had sought his intervention for its early completion. They also sought his intervention for improving connectivity between Dura Kalakgre and other neigbouring village for transportation of agriculture and horticulture produces.
The farmers of the area are engaged mainly in orange and squash cultivation. The site being adjacent to Nokrek Reserve has potential for tourism and the people have also sought for development of basic amenities to cater to the needs of the visiting tourists.
Headman of Dura Kalakgre, Tosekgre, Sakalgre and Baladingre submitted memorandum to the chief minister to consider their demands. He has assured to take up the memorandum urgently. The chief minister travelled in a gypsy to reach the village where road is still under construction.
Chief Advisor to the chief minister, Thomas A Sangma and Government Chief Whip Marcuise Marak also accompanied him. The chief minister informed that under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund of NABARD, the demand for connecting road to different villages would be initiated. He assured to consider the demand of enhancing water supply in the villages.
“Dura Kalakgre and adjoining villages have been generously contributing for the supply of potable water to Tura town but the irony has been that no attention was given to these villages in the past. We will provide thrust to ensure that our government is able to repay back and ensure basic development in these villages,” he added.
The area is remote in terms of location as connectivity is a hurdle, the chief minister said, while acknowledging the demand for setting of sub-health centre to cater to the needs of the village.
He has issued directive to the department to consider setting up a sub-health centre at Dura Kalakgre in the next financial year.
