TURA: Foundation for a traditional Garo house known as ‘Niwatram Nokachik’ was laid in the scenic village of Sasatgre, foothills of the Nokrek National Biosphere park, on Saturday by the Chief Executive Member of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), Dipul R Marak , in the presence of villagers and invited dignitaries.
The base for the Sakal A∙duma Niwatram Nokachik at Sasatgre was laid in an event organized by the A∙chik Heritage Pursuits (AHP) in collaboration with Upper Sasatgre Management Society, Sakal A∙duma.
Speaking on the occasion Dipul Marak expressed his appreciation for the exquisite site selected for the Nokachik and said that the location suits the heritage of our forefathers since they built it on the adjoining slope and on the top of the Nokachik an ample space for other related activities is also available. He also expressed his gratitude to the Upper Sasatgre Management Society, Sakal Aduma and A∙chik Heritage Pursuits for undertaking the project which intends to provide sustainable economic opportunity by creating various job opportunities with tourism related activities in the region.
Further, he reiterated that people can engage themselves with various activities like tour guides, providing traditional cuisine to the visitors and can also sell their famous locally produce Oranges, Squash and other fruits and vegetables of the region. Moreover, in order to attract the tourist he stressed on the need to preserve the rich flora and fauna of the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve and its surroundings and also to preserve the water sources of the region as well.
While addressing the gathering, the Chairman, GHADC, Denang T Sangma expressed his gratitude to the Nokma of Sasatgre for donating his land generously and urged the people to support for the successful implementation of the project assuring every possible help to strengthen the livelihood and reduce jhuming cultivation practiced by the people of the area.
Meanwhile, the A∙chik Heritage Pursuits (AHP) is facilitating the project for the construction of Nokachik which was sanctioned by Tourism Department of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), Tura amounting to about 11 Lakhs and is being constructed at the Gabil A∙king land under Sasatgre Nokma.
The A∙chik Heritage Pursuits (AHP) promotes preservation of the traditional culture by way of awareness, social service and also to promote tourism in the region by creating various self sustainable methods of livelihood including safeguarding and preserving the community reserved forest of the area. More projects like Bandasal, cottages, fish sanctuary, etc are also in the pipeline in the 8 hactare area allotted for constructing the Nokachik. The project when completed would be run and manage by the community of Sakal A∙duma.
Others who spoke on the occasion were Executive Members, incharge Tourism, GHADC, Kurosh M Marak, Executive Member, incharge Art and Culture, etc, Sengnal N Sangma, Chairman Bakijai and local MDC, Levastone T Sangma, Nokma, Sasatgre A∙king Land, Denitson R Marak, and Members AHP, Learmilford Sangma, Pisath Sangma.
Executive Member, incharge Haat, Jogonsing Sangma, Executive Member, incharge Resource Mobilization, Deviar Sangma, Executive Member, incharge Rural Development, Bhupen Hajong, Executive Member, incharge Water Works, Dhormonath Sangma, Executive member, incharge Taxation, Righteous Sangma, Chairman, Cotton Growers, Smith Momin, members of A∙chik Heritage Pursuits and local people of the area attended the function.
Earlier in the function, the Chief Guest and other dignitaries were given a traditional welcome by giving traditional head gear along with the locally available fruits and vegetables of the region.
The Chief Guest and other dignitaries also laid the symbolic casting of the Cement at the Nokachik site.