By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 30: In a move prompted by the deaths of two tourists in the state, Deputy Commissioner and Chairperson of the District Tourism Promotion Society (DTPS), East Khasi Hills, Rosetta Mary Kurbah has made it mandatory for tourists to hire licensed guides for trekking and other outdoor activities in the district.
The directive, issued in the interest of public safety, follows the tragic death of Hungarian national Puskás Zsolt in April in the Sohra-Shella area and the brutal murder of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi in Sohra on May 23.
Zsolt’s body was recovered on April 10 along an abandoned trail leading to Tyrna village. He had been trekking alone and went missing without alerting anyone.
In the case of Raghuvanshi, he and his wife Sonam had hired a guide only up to Nongriat, after which they chose to return without assistance, claiming they were familiar with the route.
Though Raja’s death was later confirmed to be a murder, authorities believe that the presence of a guide might have prevented the crime.
Kurbah stated that mandatory guide services will ensure better safety for visitors and prevent incidents such as getting lost, sustaining injuries, or being vulnerable to criminal activities in isolated areas.
The order will be strictly enforced, with violators facing penalties or denied access to trekking routes, she said.
The administration plans to deploy more trained guides and work with local communities to effectively implement the directive, Kurbah added.
