SHILLONG, July 23: State academicians and government officials on Saturday came together to confer at length about the problems and prospects of tourism development in Meghalaya, during a one-day workshop organised by the Department of Sociology of Women’s College Shillong and sponsored by Public Health Engineering (PHE) department.
According to a statement, the workshop, viz. ‘Tourism Development in Meghalaya: Problems and Prospects’ was attended by students and faculty members of colleges and universities in Shillong.
Women’s College principal Dr. Ratnadeep Roy, in his welcome address, touched upon the beauty of Meghalaya and spoke about the ways the tourism sector can boom and generate income with development.
Prof. Jemino Mawthoh of NEHU Shillong, in his address, spoke about the state’s tourism industry and its capacity to bring about economic growth.
“He also talked about how problems like unemployment can be reduced with the growth of this industry,” the statement said.
DFO Arul Gnana Mathuram, in his address, delivered his presentation on ‘Forest and Tourism in Meghalaya’ and presented before the gathering different unexplored and natural settings of Meghalaya, including wildlife and bird sanctuaries such as Daribokgre in Garo Hills, Nongrah Plateau and Siju Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary.
Tourist Officer Carolina Khyriem, in her address, spoke on ‘Tourism Policy of Meghalaya’.
“She discussed on how Meghalaya has been able to achieve the one million tourist mark in 2017. She also discussed at length on the collaboration of the Government of Meghalaya and private sectors for the growth of tourism and entrepreneurship in the state,” the statement said.
Asst Professor Apsara Marwein of ICFAI University, Shillong, while speaking about ‘Tourism and Sustainable Livelihood in the context of Meghalaya’, argued how tourism can be a smokeless industry that does not deplete the natural environment and practises conservation methods.
Prof. Benjamin Lyngdoh of NEHU Shillong spoke on benefits of tourism.
During the workshop, the panellists were also asked questions by the participants, generated after the discussion round.
