Meghalaya, Dec 15: The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K Sangma has laid the foundation stone for the Eco Resort to be built by the Tourism Department at the picturesque Sakal A.duma village within the UNESCO-listed Nokrek Biosphere Reserve on Tuesday.
In addition to MLA Rakkam A Sangma, Thomas A Sangma, Chief Adviser Thomas A Sangma, Chief Whip in the government Marcuise N Marak, and West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh, Sangma was accompanied by his close adviser Thomas A Sangma.
The Meghalaya CM laid the foundation stone and said that Eco Resort will be one of the best within Northeast India. He expressed confidence that it will be finished within a year and will cost Rs. 23 crores.
According to Sangma, this project will be owned by the local people in the region, since the promotion and development of sustainable tourism require the participation of the local population.
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Moreover, he informed that a sum of Rs. 700 crore from JICA has been allocated by the state government for tourism sector promotion and development. Out of that amount, Rs. 350 crore has been allocated each for Khasi Hills and Garo Hills. He also announced that the Water Reservoir Project would soon be implemented in the State in order to protect and preserve rivers and streams.
Deputy Chief Minister Thomas Sangma informed the Chief Minister that the resort will have an information centre where tourists and researchers can learn about this region and urged agricultural and veterinary departments to launch programs there.
During his address to the gathering, Government Chief Whip Marcuise N Marak informed the crowd that construction of the Rongram-Rongrenggre-Darugre road will soon begin which will provide better roads to the people of Rombagre, Rongsakgre, and Samandagre.
In addition to Ram Singh, the Deputy Commissioner of the West Garo Hills delivered the welcome address at the event, and the Nokma from Sasatgre village spoke as well.
