JOWAI: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Thursday announced Rs 200 crore to give a fillip to tourism in the state.
Sangma made the announcement during the launch of the website of Raid Buam Tourism Promotion Society in Amlarem sub-division in West Jaintia Hills.
Of the total amount, Rs 30 crore will be utilised to develop tourism in Jaintia Hills.
“We have decided to sanction Rs 10.87 crore to develop different water sport activities, solid waste management, solar lights, view points and eco-traders. I have sanctioned Rs 7.34 crore for development of tourism at Chyrmang village near Jowai which includes night safari, tourist facilities with exhibit gallery, solid waste management, way side amenities, approach roaf with parking,” said Sangma, who also inaugurated a tourist site at Kudengrim village on Thursday.
Sangma was accompanied by Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, who is the local MLA, and Transport Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar.
The chief minister also announced a sanction of Rs 3.19 crore for developing the Krang Shuri waterfalls.
“The funds are centrally sponsored and will be transferred to us soon. Once we receive the funds, we will start work immediately by allotting all projects to respective village heads,” Sangma said and lauded the tourism promotion society of Raid Buam that has provided employment to around 500 youths with little support from the government.
“I am very happy to know that 500 youths have been employed through the project with minimum government support. It is a great initiative and we believe that more jobs will be created and at the same time, we will also be able to protect our environment,” he said and urged the residents to work together in preserving the natural beauty of their environment.
He asserted that infrastructure and development should not come at the cost of environment and that commercialisation should be monitored.
Sangma said Meghalaya shares 443 km of international border with Bangladesh but people always use it for negative purposes.
“Yes there is a problem that we can handle but we should also understand that there is a huge opportunity because 160 million foreign tourists are on the other side,” he said and added that Meghalaya is gifted with more natural resources and beauty.
The chief minister took the opportunity to inform the public that the Centre has increased various funding to the state such as the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund which has been doubled by NABARD from Rs 100 crore to Rs 200 crore for the current financial year.
