SHILLONG, April 28: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has said that the upcoming tourism amenities at Daribok, which is in the foothills of Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, will be a boon for the tourism sector in Garo Hills.
Conrad said this after inspecting the tourism amenities at Daribok on Friday.
It may be mentioned that the newly created viewing deck at Daribok and the approach road from Oragitok to Daribok has not only led to an increase in tourist footfall but has also led to mushrooming of tourism-related business opportunities.
Considering the large footfall of tourists in the bio-sensitive area of Nokrek, the chief minister also asked the departments to work in collaboration and come up with measures to ensure that the area is free from waste, plastics and overcrowding.
During his visit, he also inspected the ongoing construction of the tourist log houses at Daribok.
Stating that the new tourism amenities, which are coming up in the area, will be a boon for tourism in Garo Hills region, the chief minister suggested initiation of sustainable intervention in the area with zero littering and proper waste management.
He also directed the administration and tourism officials to engage with the local community and start interventions such as regulated entry with ticketing and parking of vehicles at designated areas away from the eco-sensitive area of Nokrek Biosphere Reserve.
Informing that electric vehicles will be introduced for communication of tourists from designated areas to Daribok, Conrad said the government will engage with the community further to ensure different sustainable tourism interventions for the benefit of the locals.
During his visit to Daribok, the chief minister also inspected the Sadhana Forest Information and Learning Centre, which is empowering the locals with knowledge on conservation, particularly the children.
Sadhana Forest is an international volunteer-based not-for-profit organisation that aims to teach local citizens and volunteers about environmental renewal and sustainable living.
