SHILLONG, June 18: Meghalaya is experiencing a massive influx of tourists from across the country, sparking concerns over the lack of regulation at ecologically sensitive destinations, particularly the waterfalls of Sohra.
Popular sites including Wei Sawdong, Nohkalikai, and Lyngksiar Falls are witnessing a heavy volume of visitors daily. Despite the environmental fragility of these locations, there appears to be no mechanism in place to manage the crowd. Observations in Sohra reveal hundreds of tourist buses and thousands of private vehicles arriving each day, leaving major spots congested throughout the day.
Parambir Singh Sehdave, president of the Federation of Shillong Hotels, said while the high footfall is positive for the economy, the state’s sensitive environment must be protected. He warned that unregulated visitor numbers could cause long-term environmental damage.
To mitigate this, Sehdave suggested that local communities managing these sites could implement variable pricing. He proposed increasing entry fees once a certain visitor threshold is reached or during peak hours, while reducing prices during off-peak periods to balance the flow.
“The tourist flow in Meghalaya has been quite good this year,” Sehdave noted, while stressing the need for sustainable management.
In a separate development, the Federation expressed concern over reports of tourists being harassed by drug abusers in Shillong. A formal complaint has been lodged with the Shillong Police seeking immediate intervention to ensure visitor safety.
