New Delhi: Albeit Meghalaya is one of the most-searched states in Google, yet from the start with a ban on coal mining six years ago to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis now, has dealt a severe blow to its economy, several reports have said.
The pandemic is not only causing distress in the health sector but has also brought other activities, especially tourism, to a grinding halt, leaving many families on the brink of uncertainty. Prior to the COVID-19-induced lockdown, many fiestas like Cherry Blossom festival tourism was picking up in the state by leaps and bounds.
According to Google, the top three states who searched for topics related to COVID-19 are Goa, followed by Meghalaya and Chandigarh.
COVID-19 crisis and the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act agitations have indeed stopped even the trickle of tourist footfall to one of the most tourists-loving states.
After the ban on coal mining in April 2014, which was the highest revenue earner for the state’s exchequer, tourism had emerged as an economic savior in the state, which does not have big industries or large-scale agriculture.
With the spread of COVID-19, which subsequently led to the lockdown for nearly three months, stakeholders are now staring at a bleak future.