Shillong May 25: The tourism sector has emerged as an alternative means of livelihood for people of Sohra after the coal mining ban in 2014.
Informing this to media persons today, Sohra MLA Gavin Mylliem said that the State government has launched several tourism project in partnership with the local communities of Sohra to boost tourism in the area.
Mentioning that Laitryngew and Mawkma were major coal mining areas of Sohra before the coal mining ban was imposed by NGT in 2014, Mylliem said that the ban had severely affected people of these areas economically.
“Most of them were dependent on coal for their economy. But after the coal mining ban, you cannot deny the fact that the tourism sector has really helped to uplift the economic livelihood of the people of the area,” he said.
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Stating that Sohra has emerged as a global tourism destination, Mylliem said that the government has initiated tourism projects funded under PM-Devine, World Bank, and ADB and these projects are also supported by the local communities of Sohra.
“Of course, we can see that the local communities have extended their hands to the government especially with these projects. We could also see the certain proportion that needs to be shared with the government and the communities have also accepted the offer from the government,” he added.
However, the Sohra MLA said that the government cannot regulate the tariffs of hotels and homestays in Sohra since those are private accomodations.
“When it comes to private accomodations, it is very difficult on the part of the government to regulate,” he said.
Mylliem pointed out that high-end accomodations are currently limited in Sohra adding, “Presently only Jiva Resort and Polo Orchid Resort are offering high-end accomodation. Let’s see what the government has in the days to come to ensure that affordable quality accomodation can be provided to visitors.”
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