By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 6: In a first-of-its-kind initiative to boost sustainable tourism in Meghalaya, a specialised training programme was held at Ladmawphlang and Laitsohpliah in East Khasi Hills to equip 100 rural youth with the skills to serve as Nature Guides.
The programme, which was conducted in two phases from August 25 to 29 and September 1 to 5, aimed at building local capacity to promote community-led, eco-friendly tourism.
Organised by NESFAS with support from LIC-HFL, the training focused on equipping participants with the knowledge and skills required to pursue careers as professional tour guides, with a strong emphasis on nature and local landscapes.
The training also covered cultural heritage, eco-tourism, effective communication, safety protocols and business management, so as to enable participants to provide enriching and sustainable tourism experiences.
Trainers came from diverse multidisciplinary backgrounds, including Gratia E. Dkhar, Programme Head, NESFAS; Dr. Kitboklang Nongrum, Consultant, NESFAS; Gerald Samuel Duia, Founder & Proprietor of Duia Trailblazers; Baiarjingmut Kharbuli, Director of Excel Well Soft & Life Skills Training Institute; Dr. HH Mohrmen, president of Society for Urban & Rural Empowerment (SURE); Riteilang Khongrangjem, Independent Tour Guide; and Ialamphang Lyngdoh, president of the Tour Guides Association of Meghalaya, central body.
Over the five-day sessions, participants explored themes such as culture and knowledge, sustainability and resilience, and nutrition and health. They learned about tourism’s role in Meghalaya’s economy, principles of responsible tourism and professional ethics.
The module highlighted the rich culture and traditions of the Khasi and Jaintia communities, significant historical and religious sites, indigenous land rights and biodiversity hotspots. It also underlined how villages can become vibrant tourism hubs by engaging communities, showcasing traditions, and promoting sustainable development.
Queentymary Jalong, a youth participant from Liarsluid, expressed, “First of all, I would like to thank NESFAS for giving us this opportunity to receive training as nature guides. The five-day training has given us many ideas on how we should be and what we need to do in this role. We have truly benefited a lot from this programme.”
Additionally, the programme laid emphasis on practical skills.
Participants were trained in storytelling, multilingual communication, tour planning, itinerary design, logistics, stakeholder collaboration, safety, first aid and crisis management. They also developed entrepreneurial abilities in business development, digital marketing and online promotion to connect with wider markets.
“We initially thought this training would focus only on guiding tourists and managing tourism, but over the five days we realised it was much more than that. It not only taught us about tourism, but also about personal growth and how we can improve ourselves and contribute positively in our everyday lives,” shared Sephrin Nongrum, a youth from Umsawwar.
This initiative marks a step towards enhancing employment opportunities in Meghalaya’s tourism sector, especially for the youths. By building skills in guiding, communication, and business management, it promotes sustainable tourism, strengthens cultural identity and fosters community involvement while supporting community-based tourism as a means to boost local economies.
Ladappura Pyngrope, a youth from Mawpynthymmai, said, “NESFAS has invested greatly in providing us with quality training, and now it is our responsibility to implement it, work diligently, and apply all that we have learned.”
“It is important to be polite, approachable, and willing to help, as these qualities strengthen relationships and build trust,” remarked Baiarjingmut Kharbuli.
“The youth must believe in themselves, take opportunities step by step, cultivate leadership qualities, and strive to become positive influencers within their communities,” he added.
Meanwhile, NESFAS Executive Director, Pius Ranee, said that the initiative was aligned with the organisation’s broader vision.
“One of the major components of NESFAS is to improve the livelihoods of our communities through nature-based solutions. To prepare them for immersive agri-tourism, young people must gain the exposure needed to provide quality service to guests. This initiative is therefore aligned with the broader vision we have as an organisation,” he said.
Similarly, founder of Duia Trailblazers said, “NESFAS has done an outstanding job in educating youth and communities about the importance of our local ecology. This time, they have scaled up to an initiative that not only conserves the environment but also transforms conservation into tourism livelihoods.”
“I am grateful to be part of this journey as a trainer for budding eco-conscious individuals and future tourism professionals,” Duia added.
“I feel I must thank NESFAS for this training, as it has given us valuable insights into how to work for our communities. The training has also provided us with valuable guidance on becoming effective tour guides,” expressed Niwelsing Rynjah, a youth from Itsohpair.
“This training as a nature guide has benefited me personally. I have learned many important values such as communication, trust, courage, kindness, and respect, which have encouraged me to be brave and confident in pursuing this work,” said Ripynshai Diengdoh, a youth from Dewlieh.