Laitlum turns tourism into livelihood like clockwork

SHILLONG, April 6: Laitlum stands as a prime example of how tourism can generate significant livelihood opportunities.
About 15-20 years ago, most tourists visiting Meghalaya limited their trips to popular destinations like Sohra and Dawki. At that time, Laitlum was relatively unknown. However, over the past decade, the Laitlum canyons have emerged as a sought-after spot among travellers.
Located around 20 km from Shillong, Laitlum offers majestic views of the canyons, with scenic landscapes stretching across the ridges, plunging into deep gorges, and cascading down to streams below.
The Shillong Times spoke to several locals who are now earning a living thanks to the influx of visitors to this picturesque location.
A young woman named Phila, who sells lemon tea and local delicacies, shared how the area has changed since tourism began flourishing. “Earlier, our parents used to say that hardly anyone came here. But in recent years, the number of visitors has really grown,” she said.
Many villagers now earn a livelihood by running small eateries and makeshift shops, often set up within recently developed infrastructure. In addition to food stalls, a number of homestays and restaurants have sprung up in the area. Some establishments also provide public toilets, charging a nominal fee of Rs 10. The area is also popular among local youth, who were seen enjoying their weekend with plates of Maggi and momo amid the serene surroundings.
One shop owner noted that the tourist footfall is relatively low at the moment, as peak season has not arrived yet. However, she added that weekends still draw a decent number of visitors. “Our peak season is in June and July, when we see a large number of people coming here every day,” she said.
Some tourists who were visiting the site shared nostalgic memories of the place. They recalled that 10-12 years ago, the area was largely untouched and lacked any commercial presence. Today, it’s bustling with shops and tourists, though some expressed concern about increasing concretisation.
Laitlum gained wider recognition after the Bollywood movie Rock On 2 was filmed at the location, further putting it on the tourist map.