A REPORTER
SHILLONG: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma laid the foundation stone for the Eco Resort of the Tourism Department at scenic Sakal A.duma village under the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve on Tuesday.
Sangma was accompanied by the Chief Adviser, Thomas A Sangma, government Chief Whip, Marcuise N Marak, Siju-Rongara MLA, Rakkam A Sangma and West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh.
Laying the foundation stone, the Chief Minister informed that this resort will be one of the best tourist resorts in Northeast India and said that an amount of Rs. 23 crore will be spent for this project with widely accepted design and will be completed within a year. Saying that promotion and development of sustainable tourism involves the support of the local people, Sangma said that this project will be the property of the people of the region.
He also informed that the government has received an amount of Rs. 700 crore from JICA for promotion and development of tourism sector in the state out of which Rs. 350 crore each for Khasi Hills and Garo Hills respectively have been earmarked. He further informed that Water Reservoir Project to protect and preserve the rivers and streams and other water bodies will soon be implemented in the State.
The Chief Adviser to the Chief Minister, Thomas A Sangma informed that this resort will have information centre which will be a centre of learning for the tourists and the researchers and urged the Agriculture and Veterinary departments to take up schemes in this region.
The Government Chief Whip, Marcuise N Marak, while speaking about the promotion and development of tourism in the area, informed the gathering that the development of Rongram-Rongrenggre-Darugre road will soon be started thereby providing better road communication for the people of Rombagre, Rongsakgre, Samandagre.
Earlier, the West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh delivered the welcome address and the others who spoke on the occasion included the Nokma of Sasatgre village.
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