SHILLONG, Feb 6: Select stakeholders including the state government, district administration, Rangbah Shnongs and residents of Golf Links area have vowed to safeguard the Shillong Golf Course and have decided to constitute a task force to keep clean and beautify the area.
The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, Isawanda Laloo, in the presence of local MLA and Health Minister, AL Hek, on Saturday.
The task force will be responsible to integrate efforts of various stakeholders and to make workable action plans for short-term and long-term goals.
The prime objective of the meeting was to devise a stratagem to ensure that Golf Links gets a facelift.
During the meeting, Hek said that it has been decided in the meeting that they will come up with short and long-term measures to protect as well as revamp the Shillong Golf Course.
Discussions were also held to realign the road which goes right through the middle of the scenic golf course, he added.
According to Hek, it was also decided that an alternative space just next to the Golf Course will be turned into a recreational activity space for the public. “We have a land of around 7-8 acres and this alternative space will be used for commuters and tourists, walkways and cycling pathways, recreational facilities, spaces for parking, vending and children’s park,” Hek said.
It may be mentioned that many efforts have been made by various stakeholders from time to time to plan for revamp of the area and protection of the golf course.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had earlier chaired meetings with different departments to look into the matter of the overall revamp of the area.
The meeting was also attended by members of the Shillong Club, its Board of Directors, the Meghalaya Golf Promoters’ Society, headmen and Seng Samla of the localities in and around Golf Links, representatives from government departments — Police, Forest, PWD, Urban Affairs, Tourism, Pollution Control Board — and voluntary action groups like Team Jiva and Green Tech.