From CK Nayak
NEW DELHI, Oct 24: The tourism scenario in Meghalaya will be transformed if the Centre facilitates all-weather roads, good accommodation, and other basic needs of the unique and upcoming tourist places, adviser and Mawkyrwat MLA, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar told Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat here on Thursday.
Such tourist places included Jakrem Hot Springs, Synrang Mawrin at Mawten village, Mawkyrduk Monolith at Mawlangwir Village, and the Mawranglang Viewpoint. “All these picturesque places are attracting tourists because of their unique qualities,” he said.
Shekhawat visited most of these places in September and appreciated their natural beauty.
“The minister assured to take action on the demands,” Tongkhar told The Shillong Times before leaving for Shillong. He submitted a memorandum, “Dreams of South West Khasi Hills in Tourism Sector” detailing each tourist spot and its potential.
The natural and perennial hot spring at Mawsdei-Umjarain contains sulphur and other dissolved minerals that are effective for body therapy and skin diseases, the former minister said. Many tourists from the country and abroad visit the place for a shower and swim in the hot spring but do not stay back because of a lack of accommodation.
He sought a world-class resort and wellness centre at the place.
The MLA said Banber-Mawten is a tourist spot in South West Khasi Hills sporting monoliths erected by the locals to pay homage to their forefathers. Developing Banber-Mawten as the “world’s biggest monolith garden” will enable different clans of the tribes to commemorate their forefathers and also boost tourism, he said.
The UDP leader said the picturesque Tynnai village in the South West Khasi Hills district and Phlangwanbroi village in the East Khasi Hills district are 5 km apart aerially. He added that a cable car like Mussoorie’s will attract tourists.
Tongkhar also demanded the development of the natural rock garden in Jashiar village. “Footpaths and climbers for people to move from one rock to another, fencing, and other amenities can work wonders for tourism there,” he said.
Tongkhar further demanded approach roads and footpaths to the tourist spots such as the Rilang Viewpoint at Mawranglang village, Lawpaw Cave at Nongnah village, Phlangjaud cave at Rangmaw village, Synrang Rngai and Od Rngai natural pool at Mawten village, Fish Sanctuary at Rohbah village, Mawkyntang at Rangmaw Domjyrti viewpoints of Umngi River in the Valley and Symper Rocks on the opposite hill.