STAFF REPORTER
SHILLONG:
Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh on August 26 said tourism can contribute to the reduction of unemployment by helping people become self-sufficient and enabling them to employ others.
Speaking at the inauguration of a resort at Mawkhanu village, Lyngdoh said, “Tourism will not only optimise and promote what our land can offer but it will also make our people self-sufficient and also enable them to employ others.”
He also lauded the efforts of the owner of the resort, Stai Sing Syiem, to come up with such a project without seeking government’s assistance.
Emphasising the importance of participatory development, Lyngdoh said, “I believe with the support of stakeholders we can promote each other as development cannot be only for one person. It has to be participatory development so that all will benefit from it.”
Stating that the tourism department had launched many projects, the minister said, “Not only we have come up with the tourism policy, we have also sanctioned funds for 1,000 home stays every year where 75 per cent is subsidy and the remaining is a soft loan.”
He also said that in Sohra, almost every household is using their space for guests due to the rush with over 15 lakh tourists visiting the state. “In view of this, the state government has decided to regulate this because as of now it is done in an unorganised manner,” Lyngdoh added.
The minister said that the scenic beauty of Meghalaya is its inherent strength. “People all the way from Delhi have even asked how much we can sell our clear sky to them.”
Meanwhile, Lyngdoh also urged the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to fully implement the decision against use of plastic to save the environment.
In his speech, KHADC chief Pyniaid Sing Syiem said the district council with the support of the state government will organise the Monolith Festival in December 2023.
Syiem said that the decision of the council to revive the festival was to showcase the rich traditional culture and heritage of the Khasi tribes.
“The state government under the leadership of minister in-charge of Tourism Paul Lyngdoh and the chief minister had agreed to work with the district council to preserve the traditional culture and heritage of the Khasi tribes by showcasing to the world the tradition, customs, practice and culture through the Monolith Festival,” said Syiem.