SHILLONG: Sub-Divisional Officer (C) of Sohra, L. Kynjing informed that the Sohra region is blessed by a number of heritage sites and the promotion of the spots will increase employment for the local people.
While speaking at the one-day seminar on Preservation and Conservation of Historical and Cultural Heritage of Sohra was organised by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Lady Keane College, Shillong in collaboration with the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) Meghalaya Chapter and the Meghalaya Rural Tourism Forum (MRTF) at Jiva Resort on Tuesday, chief guest Kynjing said that preservation of historical sites can be helpful. “Exploitation of natural resources generates income for one generation only whereas Tourism development projects and activities can provide income for generations” he said.
He also lamented that there are a number of such sites which have been vandalised or defaced, which is a serious issue that needs to be looked into.
He further stressed on the importance of proper tourism management and the need to control the number of footfalls at the various heritage sites.
The main objective of the programme was to promote and preserve the heritage of Sohra by empowering the people towards sustainable tourism, with special emphasis on heritage tourism. The seminar saw the participation of a number of stakeholders working in different tourism development programmes in Sohra, headmen and students from various institutions under the Sohra Civil Sub-Division.
Kynjing expressed his gratitude to the organisers for conducting the programme and stated that the seminar was a much needed initiative especially for the different people and stakeholders working or involved in various tourism projects around Sohra.
He, however, expressed his regret that a number of heritage sites have been lost due to unplanned development.
Delivering the keynote address, Madeline Y. Tham, Coordinator, IQAC, Lady Keane College, said that since 1832, Sohra, being the capital of pre-independence Assam, was the Centre of a lot of cultural exchange between the Khasis and the foreign missionaries and the interaction of the missionaries with the natives made it possible for Christianity to set a foothold in the region.
She also highlighted that hundred years ago, the people in the region, despite not having architects, engineers etc., built houses using masons and craftsmen, and these structures have stood the test of time.
She further added that the natural heritage of the region which includes rivers, caves, waterfalls and others should not only be admired but also respected as various myths and legends are interwoven with the natural landscape of the land.
