Editor
A number of columns and recently an article by Patricia Mukhim have time and again pointed out the critical issues hampering the realistic growth of tourism be it within urban or rural areas. Each have their own settings and varying landscapes but what is happening around isn’t positive; rather it going in multiple directions with different sets of groups and agencies doing their own way of promoting tourism while the government is watching the spectacle.
The tragic incident of a newly married couple from Indore must wake up the entire Tourism Department and it’s various wings within the government and it’s community partners to prevent such incidents from repeating themselves. In fact, I had discussed the concept of having a Village Tourism Police team trained and supported with the help of the State Police and Tourism Department through an incentive model but these points, as someone rightly observed, often fall on deaf ears. The problem is that we have no clear- cut system or roadmap on how to tackle the situation when such calamities occur or how do we regulate tourist flows and footfalls. It is therefore very important for the state authorities to sit, think and brainstorm on how we reinvent tourism on a pilot model with a few villages in each Block and then observe the outcome and impact and perhaps replicate that model in other villages too.
Yours etc.,
Dominic Wankhar,
Via email
Sohra – In the lap of nature where rain and rock have carved into your soul
Editor,
As an ultra-runner who has been training in Sohra for more than a decade, I’ve felt the power of the rain that made it so famous, the whispers of the wind, and the heartbeat of the hills. This land has shaped me not just as a runner, but as a person. Sohra is not just a training ground – it’s home. It’s where I’ve found strength, peace, and some of the warmest souls.
Recently, a heart-breaking incident occurred where a tourist couple from Indore went missing in the rain-drenched terrain. Till now, nobody in authority has any clue regarding their whereabouts. As I pen this article, the search for the couple is still ongoing. This incident is indeed a reminder of how wild and unpredictable nature can be, especially if we go unprepared. Our thoughts and prayers are with the couple, their families, and those who are searching for them.
However, while the search is ongoing, it is unfortunate to come across some national media outlets making wrong and misleading headlines, even going so far as to call our home “crime-prone hills.” Another media outlet wrote, “The worry turned dread when their rented scooter was found abandoned near Osara Hills in Sohra Rim – a remote area notorious for being unsafe and prone to criminal activity.” These are serious, unfounded, misleading, and malicious allegations, which we do not expect mainstream national media to indulge in.
These media outlets should check their facts and not jump to conclusions, as they are aware that misleading stories can negatively impact our state, which thrives immensely on tourism. Instead of writing from the comfort of their newsrooms, they should personally come to Sohra to get first-hand experience of everything. Before painting our home as “crime-prone hills,” they should research the crime rate in Sohra over the last 10 years. They should not portray Sohra in a negative light or damage its reputation just to grab eyeballs. As far as my knowledge and experience go, the people in my state of Meghalaya and Sohra are humble, honest, kind, helpful, hospitable, God-fearing, and always ready to help.
These national media should be reminded that the local people, the police department, the Search and Rescue Team, and the government have come together, searching tirelessly and helping in every way they could to find the missing couple despite the unrelenting rains and arduous terrain.
Notwithstanding the negative narrative (without knowing the facts) set by some renowned national media outlets, it is crucial to understand that this tragedy is not a reflection of Meghalaya’s safety or spirit. Like all mountainous regions, the wild, untamed character of the natural world here requires visitors to be cautious and well prepared. Perhaps visitors should make use of local guides who are well-versed in the terrain.
Being in the lap of nature can be blissful, but one must take precautions as well. We want our guests to enjoy to the fullest without encountering any unpleasant experience. Even local residents in our state have gone missing during the rainy season, underscoring the serious challenges posed by our unpredictable weather. While the natural beauty of our landscape is undeniable, it can also turn dangerous, with heavy rains, landslides, and flash floods being common during this period. In such a setting, describing the region as “crime-prone hills” is not only misleading but deeply irresponsible. It paints an unfair picture of a place where nature itself can be both breath-taking and brutal.
Meghalaya has emerged as one of the top tourist destinations in the Northeast, recording the second-highest number of domestic tourist arrivals in the region after Assam. Recently, Union Minister of State for DoNER, Sukanta Majumdar, stated that a total of 13,71,674 domestic tourists visited Meghalaya in the 2024–25 fiscal year. The state also welcomed 19,973 foreign tourists, ranking fourth in the region for international arrivals. Unmistakably, most of these tourists must have visited Sohra.
In a region where tourism is booming, it is both misleading and unfair to label Meghalaya as “crime-prone hills”- a phrase irresponsibly used by media outlets without any understanding of the state’s ground reality. Such a characterisation not only tarnishes the image of a peaceful and welcoming destination but also undermines the efforts of the local communities and authorities who work tirelessly to promote safe and sustainable tourism.
The land of the living root bridges, cascading waterfalls, clouds, and misty green mountains is always ready to welcome you like family. Meghalaya will always be a gem worth exploring responsibly. Guests are like gods. Let us continue to celebrate Meghalaya not with fear but with reverence for its nature, its people, and the timeless stories that rain and rock have carved into your soul.
To Sohra, the love of my life – thank you for being my toughest trail and my softest refuge. We pray for the missing couple, their families, friends, and relatives. Hope we find them soon and safe.
Yours etc.,
Rephica Becky Pde,
Via email